Why You Should Be Testing Your Pasture: An Essential Guide for Livestock Producers

Maintaining animal health and production is crucial for running a successful livestock enterprise. Whether it be horses, sheep, goats, or beef cattle, much of their diet consists of grazing pastures and browse species. Therefore, testing your pasture is crucial to understanding how the different grass, legume and browse species and their nutritional properties affect livestock health and production. Pasture sampling helps identify nutritional deficiencies, which in turn, allows producers to make more informed supplement decisions, ultimately leading to improved animal health and production.

Why Is Pasture Sampling Important?

Many livestock enterprises in Northern Australia rely heavily on pasture to support the productivity of their business. Gaining a deeper appreciation for what these pastures actually can do for the business allows for producers to make strategic and informed supplement decisions, maximising their productivity and overall profitability.

Pasture sampling is a great tool in troubleshooting and addressing a variety of issues. One of the most common problems that arise when supplemental feeding is the over, or under consumption, of a stockfeed product, which has an adverse effect on both animal welfare and the business’ bottom line. Therefore, it is integral to ensure livestock consume supplement at the correct rate, and that the supplement is meeting their requirements.

A great example of this Northern Australia’s phosphorous problem. With the vast majority of northern pastures being phosphorous deficient, it presents a significant challenge to producers. Production losses associated with phosphorous deficiency include reduced body condition scores, decreased milk production, weight gain and fertility. By doing a pasture sample, the level of phosphorous deficiency on property can be identified, compared against the livestock’s mineral requirements, and a targeted supplement supplied. It has been well studied and documented that by providing adequate phosphorous there is a significant improvement in liveweight gains, weaning rates, and a reduction in overall mortalities.

How Does Pasture Sampling Work?

Pasture sampling is easy and simple to do. Firstly, the producer needs to identify what part of their property they want to sample. Sampling can be done by paddock or by land and soil type. This becomes the sample reference. For each sample, a cross-section of the desired area should be taken, with multiple subsamples taken. These are then sent away for analysis. The two tests recommended to be done are the Near Infrared (NIR) spectroscopy and Wet Chemistry DCAD analysis for the mineral profile.

The main areas analysed are;

• Protein
• Energy
• Neutral Detergent Fibre (NDF)
• Dry Matter
• Mineral Composition

Although the protein and energy content of the pastures fluctuates with the changing weather patterns, it is useful to know these values at a given point in time and apply them to the general pasture growth and production curve. In fresh, immature pastures, energy and protein are at their highest, whilst as the pasture begins to mature and hay off, these values decrease.

NDF plays a major role in determining the level of dry matter intake for an animal. By understanding how much pasture livestock can physically consume daily, the total amount of energy, protein and minerals they receive from the pasture can be established. Tailoring a supplement to complement this intake maximises production whilst remaining economical.

How Often Should Pasture Samples Be Performed?

Ideally, pasture samples should be taken multiple times a year, aligned with seasonal changes and variations. By doing this, a yearly profile of the pasture can be determined and removes the guess work out of supplement decisions. In the perfect world, conducting a NIR & DCAD analysis initially enables the mineral profile of the pasture to be determined, and completing another three NIR samples at different pasture growth phases provides detail on exact protein and energy values.

By doing this, producers can pinpoint when their pastures are at their best and worst and determine if there are any paddocks or land types that perform better than others. Being armed with this knowledge, producers can make key decisions for their business, such as weaning dates, and put in place a supplementation program.

Final Thoughts

Testing your pasture is essential for the health and productivity of your livestock. A pasture sample can help you identify any deficiencies in your pasture and inform your supplement plan. Ideally, pastures should be sampled multiple times a year, coinciding with seasonal variations, allowing producers to make informed management decisions for their business.

Top Country is proud to offer pasture sampling as part of our property visits or can provide you with a detailed guide on how to sample your own pasture. To schedule a property, visit or receive expert, one-on-one advice from our Sales Nutritionists, please contact our team on (07) 4622 8330 or enquire here for more information.

Disclaimer:

All animal stockfeed should be fed as part of a nutritious, balanced diet to match the livestock’s specific requirements. Ensure that animals always have plenty of fresh, clean water available for drinking. Top Country makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, as to the suitability of any of the products supplied to the specific requirements of your livestock. It is recommended that you consult your ruminant nutritionist before making any major dietary changes. This product does not contain restricted animal material.