What to Plant for Year-Round Grazing on Small Properties

The purpose of planting in autumn is to make the most of the last warm weather to build a strong root system among the new growth in time for the more dormant, colder weather. Factors like reduced (though not absent) rainfall, reduced weed pressure, warm days, and cooler nights make new growth efficient, if not rapid.

Planting too early or too late risks slowing growth speed. For example, late summer has too much rain making the ground too wet or muddy for seeds to survive, while early winter is too cool to foster growth, reducing root growth significantly. Either way, your lawns and pastures won’t grow to be at their best come the winter time.

Firstly, cattle are more tolerant overall to the plant types they consume. However, high tolerance can often hide the risks. Sudden diet changes like pasture quality or frequent moving of the livestock to new pastures can be harmful. For example, excessive grain, lush or rapidly growing pasture could cause rumen upset, bloat, or acidosis. There are various strategies to treating these symptoms in livestock, but there are also solutions to prevent it, such as separating new growing feed from the existing diet your livestock are currently on.

Horses are much more sensitive to what they eat, with the composition of their feed and seasonal changes being the most challenging factors. Common pasture species are frequently too high in sugars or energy, resulting in problems like laminitis or metabolic issues.

It’s also well known that horses are selective grazers and eat closely to the ground, which can be challenging for pasture plant conditions and their nutritional stability.

Sheep are efficient at eating their way through the pasture. They do come with specific sensitivities and can be particularly vulnerable to mineral imbalances. For example, a diet too rich or poorly balanced might result in various health issues.

If you’re unsure where to start, prioritise lawn and pasture safety for your most sensitive livestock, seasonal growth balance, and long-term pasture resilience.