The basic aim in an efficient system of pastoral farming must be the highest possible sustained yields of animal products consistent with the maintenance and improvement of soil fertility. This involves the maximum production of dry matter of the right quality. This paper does not deal exhaustively with quality, but it is necessary to remind ourselves that quantity and quality are not necessarily highly correlated. Both yield and quality of dry matter depend on the soil, climate, herbage species and strains, stock and pasture management and fertiliser applications.
