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Practical pasture management in hill and upland systems

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

J. Johnson  and
B. G. Merrell
J. Johnson
Affiliation:
ADAS Leeds, Lawnswood, Otley Road, Leeds LS16 5PY
B. G. Merrell
Affiliation:
ADAS Redesdale, Rochester, Otterburn, Newcastle upon Tyne NE19 1SB
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Abstract

The imbalance in area of conservation to grazing has resulted in systems which attempt to maximize grazing and minimize winter feeding. This is rendered more difficult by the short growing season and generally poorer quality of indigenous vegetation when compared with, for example, perennial ryegrass and white clover. Recent changes in government policy discourage land improvement and emphasis nowadays concentrates on maximizing use of, for example, moorland whilst at the same time maintaining its longer-term production and environmental quality. Sward height guidelines can be used to optimize production and utilization of sown grassland for sheep and cattle. Information is also available to integrate heather moorland into farming systems, as a result of an increased understanding of grazing preferences. It remains as important as ever to maintain production from the limited area of improved ground, and improvements in perennial ryegrass and white clover varieties can be introduced successfully into hill and upland systems. Change in such systems however is often constrained by both social and economic factors and this needs to be acknowledged if the agricultural emphasis in the hills and uplands is to have proper direction.

Type
Research Article
Information
BSAP Occasional Publication , Volume 18: Livestock Production and Land Use in Hills and Uplands , January 1994 , pp. 31 - 41
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Production 1994

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