Grassland Use in Ireland

Grassland in Ireland is the main source of feed for cattle and sheep

A refractometer is used to measure the sucrose concentration in grass

Scutch grass is best controlled by using a systemic herbicide containing glyphosate

Permanent grassland has low levels of production

Poaching refers to damage caused to wet or waterlogged land by livestock movement

Perennial Ryegrass is the most important agricultural grass in Ireland due to its low palatability and digestibility

Italian Ryegrass has a longer growing season and more production than perennial White Clover

Hybrid Ryegrasses is a mixture of Perennial and Italian ryegrass, resulting in low yields and a short growing season

Cattle and sheep are selective grazers, meaning they only eat the grasses that are least palatable to them

Dry Matter Digestibility (DMD) measures the amount of dry matter that can be digested by an animal