Planning Pastures for Optimal Sheep Production

Pasture Planning Fundamentals

Successful pasture management starts with planning. Diverse forage species ensure year-round nutrition and resilience against seasonal variability.

Pasture Composition

Optimal pastures contain: 40-50% legumes (clover, alfalfa), 40-50% grasses (ryegrass, fescue), and 10% broadleaf plants. This mix provides balanced nutrition and parasite control benefits.

Seasonal Planning

Spring: Rapid growth requires rotational grazing (7-14 days per paddock). Summer: Longer rotation (21-28 days) maintains quality. Fall: Plan for supplemental feeding. Winter: Stored forage (hay/silage) covers shortfalls.

Water and Shade

Provide water every 200m in rotational systems. Shade reduces heat stress, improving feed intake and productivity by 10-15% in warm seasons.

Monitoring

Measure pasture height monthly (target 5-10cm residual after grazing). Track botanical composition to guide future seeding decisions.