On dairy farms, the most satisfactory procedure is to turn the stock out to pasture early in the grazing season as soon as the herbage has reached a height of about 3 inches, provided the ground is sufficiently dry to prevent excessive injury to the turf and provided weather conditions are favorable. In most of New York in a normal season this means during the first week in May. When a system of alternate grazing is followed, the milch cows should be allowed access to the first field and should remain there as long as the herbage is sufficient for them to consume nearly the maximum amount each day. The milch cows should next be removed into the second field, and the dry cows and the young stock should be allowed to graze the first field as closely as possible. This procedure should be followed with each field.
When the dry cows and the young stock are removed, the herbage growing where droppings were deposited: during the previous year or earlier in the season, is usually still ungrazed. Horses may be turned into the field for a short time as they will graze much of the herbage left by the cattle. If there are no horses, the ungrazed herbage should be cut as closely as possible with a mowing machine. Mowing is particularly important in late May or early June. In well-managed pastures, one mowing a year is usually sufficient; but in some, several mowings are
FIGURE 29. MOWING THE PASTURE
The mowing machine is the most important aid to good grazing
management. Pastures should be mowed closely in early June and
again later if necessary
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