Search our website enhanced by Google.
- Home
- Knowledge library
- Monitor your grass growth
Monitor your grass growth
Grass growth begins when soil reaches 5°C at a 10 cm depth, with legumes like white clover starting at 8°C, and can be monitored with a soil thermometer to inform nitrogen application for optimal growth.
Typical monthly grass growth in March is 10 kg DM/ha per day, with some sites achieving up to 20 kg DM/ha per day. At peak growth, all three leaves can be replaced within two to three weeks, but in midwinter when grass growth is at its slowest, it can take 30 days to produce one new leaf.
The best time for grazing is when the plant is at the 2.5–3 leaf stage. Grazing too low, i.e. below the two-leaf stage, can reduce grass growth by up to 85%. There are many ways to measure the amount of grass available, including sward height in centimetres and weight per hectare in kilograms of dry matter, also known as pasture cover. Target swards heights at turnout are:
- Cows and calves in rotational grazing: 10–14 cm, set stocked 5–6 cm
- Growing cattle in rotational grazing: 10–12 cm, set stocked 5–6 cm
- Ewes and lambs in rotational grazing: 8–10 cm, set stocked 4 cm
For more information, see our page on Grazing strategies for better returns. To measure your grass growth, order your free sward stick by contacting brp@ahdb.org.uk.