Short-grass grazing for dairy cows

Maintaining a consistent grass height of 6–8 cm throughout the grazing season ensures high-quality, highly digestible forage for dairy cows. This short grass grazing system enhances milk production, reduces labour, and supports soil health by minimizing compaction and suppressing weeds. Precise management is essential: grazing must begin early, with field areas adjusted seasonally—30 ares per cow in spring, 20 ares in peak growth (May), and 40 ares in July—to prevent grass from heading and degrading forage quality. Continuous grazing, supported by regular monitoring using a grassometer, maintains sward uniformity. Mowing ungrazed fields and immediate reintegration into the grazing rotation preserves forage availability. Nitrogen fertilization should be limited to 25 units per application, with no more than three to four applications annually, to protect clover. Supplementary feeding (up to 3 kg hay per cow daily) may be needed during shortages. The system is ideal in regions with consistent summer rainfall and favourable temperatures. Benefits include reduced farm workload, stable milk yield, and lower risk of milk fever. Author: Patrik Gauder, Wallonia Livestock Association. eleveo, Inno4Grass