Introduction to Grassland in Ireland

Grassland and Livestock Management

• Grass is the main source of feed for cattle and sheep in Ireland.

Stocking Rate

• Stocking rate is the number of animals that can be stocked/fed on a set acre of land.

Sugar Analysis

• A refractometer is used to measure the sucrose concentration in grass.

Plant Growth

• Tillering is the ability of a plant to produce side shoots from the bottom of the stem.

Land Damage

• Poaching is the damage caused to wet or waterlogged land by livestock movement on wet soil.

Agricultural Grasses

• Perennial Ryegrass is the most important agricultural grass in Ireland for its highly palatability and digestibility.
• Italian Ryegrass has a fast-growing rate with a longer growing season and more production than Perennial Ryegrass.
• Hybrid Ryegrasses is a mixture of Perennial and Italian ryegrass, known for its high yields and long growing season, referred to as hybrid vigour.

Livestock Grazing

• Cattle and sheep are selective grazers, which means they only eat the grasses that are most palatable to them.
• White Clover has white flowers compared to Red Clover.