Livestock has been the top priority in areas hit by the recent dry – and rightly so – but now, pastures also need attention, to fuel farm recovery after rain, and provide the main source of feed for the next 12 months.

Successful pasture recovery after drought has three stages: current management in dry conditions; actions to be taken when rain comes, and a renewal programme.

Paul Hames, who is the Bay of Plenty and Waikato area manager for Barenbrug Agriseeds, says the first step is to assess all paddocks on the farm, and divide them into three categories.

“Most important are the Category 1 paddocks, ones you think will recover. Category 2 is for those which might survive; Category 3 is paddocks past the point of no return.”

Paul says Category 1 paddocks are vital for drought recovery, because after rain they will be the first to start providing feed. And two golden rules apply to these paddocks – look after them while it’s dry, and be patient with grazing after it rains.

It’s critical not to overgraze these pastures during the dry, because ryegrass plants store all the energy they need for survival and regrowth in the basal stem – not below it.

Paul says grazing too close to the ground depletes these energy reserves. 

“Even if the grass is brown, having 3cm-4cm of length on it is much better than having 1cm-2cm. The extra length holds the energy to power plants back up for growth when enough moisture is available.”

To protect Category 1 paddocks, Paul says farmers can use Category 3 paddocks as a sacrifice area to hold stock and to feed supplement in, or use a feed pad if available.

“When it rains, keep managing Category 1 paddocks carefully for the next three-four weeks as things green up. Putting animals on too soon can kill them. Wait until ryegrass tillers have three leaves before grazing any new growth post-rain.”

Category 2 paddocks, in the meantime, should be monitored.

“If you pull plants apart, green in the base of the tiller means there’s hope,” says Paul. “Wait until it rains, then they will become either Category 1 or 3.”

Category 3 paddocks need to be re-sown. These are pastures coming out of summer crop or those which have less than 50 per cent grass cover remaining; contain a high level of weeds; have been damaged by insects; or been used as sacrifice paddock.

“A plan needs to be developed for these, which is typically a mix of winter feed and pasture renewal, and may include full renewal, spray-drilling and undersowing.”