Grass and How to graze it

Grass, the main component of the cow's diet, has a rate of growth that changes as the plant matures. In its early stages, growth is slow as the reserves of energy from the seed stage are put towards producing the green leaf that conducts photosynthesis. Once established, the plant grows rapidly, gobbling up sunshine and water to send its shoots up, its leaves out, and its roots down. At its maturity, the plant shifts its energy towards producing its seed or flower, and growth once again slows. If grass is cut in the early or late stages of its growth, the time it takes to recover and grow again is much slower than if the grass is cut during the middle growth stage. If a plant is cut too many times in the early stage, the energy supplied from its seed stage will eventually be depleted and it will die. At its early stage, the plant also holds the most nutrients and its shoots are tender, making it the most desired and palatable stage for the cow. As several farmers have told us, the cow always eats dessert first—always. This means if you do not find a way to protect the new growth from grazing cows, it will eventually lead to bare, malnourished soil as the cow continually eats the early shoots until they die. If, however, you rotate cows such that they are exposed to the grass only during its middle growth period, it will regrow rapidly and create healthy, vibrant soil.