Pre-graze mowing for improved grassland management
Enhancing grassland quality and milk yield through pre-mowing practices on a Dutch dairy farm
or
Detail description
The Snip family farm in the Netherlands optimises grassland use for 85 Jersey cows, achieving 1,800 kg of dry matter per cow annually over an 180-day grazing season. Farmer Karst-Jan Snip uses pre-graze mowing at 8–9 cm height to enhance forage quality, prevent seed formation, and control dock (Rumex obtusifolius) and other weeds. This practice maintains a uniform sward, reduces excess biomass, and improves milk productivity. The project is EU-funded, with results reflecting the farmer’s experience on a 42-hectare grassland farm.
1/1
or
Contribution detail info
- Project
Grazing4AgroEcology
European Network to promote grazing and to support grazing-based farms on their economic and ecologic performances as well as on animal welfare
- Location
- Netherlands
- Authors
- AERES
- Purpose
- Adopt innovative practices, Implement best practices, Learn and develop skills
- File type
- document
- Created on
- Jun 30, 2025
- Origin language
- Dutch
- Official project website
- Grazing4AgroEcology
- License
- CC BY
- Keywords