Slashing pastures
$ 41,000
INC GST
$ 34,000 $ 45,000
INC GST INC GST
There is a lot of debate over whether or not slashing benefits pastures . Slashing is not a common practice on larger properties but it is often done on smaller properties , in many cases for reasons other than for improving the pasture . Before slashing ask : - Why are we doing it ? - Will it provide better grazing for stock ? - How much will it cost ? Some reasons for slashing are : Increasing mulch on the soil The slashed grass needs to be in direct contact with the soil to add organic matter . Often the slashed material sits on top of the grass and acts as a mulch , slowing pasture recovery and not contributing to the soil organic matter . Is this better than burning ? It depends on the pasture , but a good fire can stimulate native pastures while a very hot fire can destroy them . The choice between slashing and burning will depend on the situation . Reducing the bulk of pasture A large bulk of pasture can be a fire hazard but it can also be a valuable source of standover feed for the coming winter when it can be fed with a protein supplement . The value of the pasture as potential feed will have to be balanced against the potential fire hazard , taking into consideration the seasonal conditions . Promoting new pasture growth If pastures are not grazed , they can become rank and unpalatable . Slashing can promote new and more palatable pasture growth , but it is often better to vary stocking rates to reduce rank growth if possible . Studies researching the impact of slashing on productivity have had conflicting results , and vary with pasture species .
Generally though , the cost of slashing outweighs the gains achieved in new pasture growth . Better grazing management is often the easier alternative . Managing annual weeds Slashing can be a great tool in controlling weeds , such as thistles , that can establish on bare ground during variable weather conditions and compete with pastures . These weeds need to be slashed before they go to seed , otherwise the slasher will spread the weed seeds further afield and compound the problem . Managing woody weeds Plants such as wild rosemary ( Cassinia laevis ) and some wattles can be controlled by slashing when they are small , reducing the likelihood of having to undertake a major weed control program after the weeds become established . Several follow-up treatments will often be necessary to control the plants that re-sprout after the initial slashing . Establishing new pastures New pastures can become dominated by annual weeds that take advantage of the disturbed soil . Slashing before these weeds flower will reduce moisture stress and competition for the new pasture . The new pasture may have to be spelled longer , however , to let it go to seed . Evening out variations in grazing A paddock with a set-stocking rate will generally have grazed and ungrazed patches . Slashing will help to even up the pasture , but a better option is to use a rotational grazing system to even out the grazing pressure on the pasture . In rotational grazing , stock are moved as a group through two or more paddocks on a regular basis . This improves the management of the grazing pressure and gives pastures in the ungrazed paddocks an opportunity to recover . Making it look tidy Many landowners who slash are really cutting the grass just to make it look tidy . They justify slashing by saying it puts mulch back into the soil . However , if the grass was left standing it would provide more habitat and protection for a variety of fauna that ultimately carry out the mulching as a natural process . A short pasture may look tidy , but it makes the soil more susceptible to evaporation and runoff than under natural pasture .
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THE HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine . com . au ISSUE 146 // JULY 2022 43