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This chapter highlights ways of thinking holistically about grass and forage. Getting the system right has huge implications for the sustainability of the sheep sector, in terms of health, production, economics, environmental impact and social cohesion. This chapter focuses on seven elements that drive effective grazing systems. The reasons why each area is important, how it can be optimized and ways to engage farmers with tools and guidance will be discussed. Farmer case studies are used to highlight what these areas can mean in terms of profitability, health and welfare and environmental impact.
- 1 Introduction
- 2 Challenges in sheep production
- 3 Ways of improving grazing systems: measuring bodycondition of the fock
- 4 Amount of feed supplements being used (includingsilage or hay)
- 5 Feed supplements case study: Mark Burrell, NorthYorks Moors (Yorkshire, UK)
- 6 Pasture cover at different times of the year
- 7 Pasture cover case study: Steven Lawson,Northumbria (UK)
- 8 Reducing demand from the autumn
- 9 Reducing demand from the autumn case study:Richard Carruthers, Shap (Cumbria, UK)
- 10 Resting turnout grass for at least 3 months
- 11 Clover and herb levels in pasture
- 12 Specialist crops for growing and fnishing lambs
- 13 Conclusion
- 14 Where to look for further information
- 15 References