GRAZING SYSTEMS ON DAIRY AND SHEEP FARMS

THE PURPOSE of this paper is to deal with current grazing methods as practised on high-producing dairy and sheep farms. While an attempt will be made to give a general picture of the situation in New Zealand, Northland experience will be heavily drawn on for several reasons. Northland has given the highest yearly pasture production ever recorded in New Zealand; stock are fed almost entirely on pasture, hay or silage; the high development of clay in Northland soils and the high rainfall mean that pasture damage is a constant threat; and, lastly, it is the district in which the writer works and knows best.