GRAZING MANAGEMENT FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF BROWNTOP PASTURES IN HILL COUNTRY : A PROGRAMME

Abstract

The effects of summer spelling, frequency and severity of defoliation on improved pasture which had reverted to browntop dominance in spite of adequate topdressing were investigated on northwest and south-east aspects in North Wairarapa hill country pastures. Frequency and severity of defoliation affected both pasture production and botanical composition on the south-east aspect but had little significant effect on the north-west aspect. A pasture improvement programme based on the field trial results was devised and applied. The interim results of this programme are given.