After a period of winter dormancy, a grass plant needs to rebuild its energy stores. With the emergence of longer, warmer days in Spring, grass can begin converting sunlight energy into sugars via photosynthesis. Photosynthesis occurs within the chloroplasts found in the leaves of grass plants, therefore during the spring months of April – May grass offers livestock an energy dense feed which can be either grazed directly, or cut and ensiled. If left to its own devices, grass will utilise this store of energy to build its stem and ensuing seed. To insure against damage, as the stem elongates the plant protects it with an indigestible sheath called lignin. This focus on stem production causes the proportion of leaf material to diminish and be replaced by the lignified stem, causing a dramatic decline in nutritional value to the grazing ruminant. Ruminant farmers can benefit from the grass plants mechanics of growth by encouraging photosynthesis and impede stem production. Regular defoliation after the 3 leaf stage will achieve this by manipulating the grass plant to consistently re-build energy reserves. Protein is also a key nutrient required for growth, therefore nutritionally a ruminant farmer will benefit from both photosynthetic sugars and proteins as the grass plant re-builds itself after defoliation. As grass managers, farmers must also assist grass in its effort to reconstruct itself. When defoliating the plant, it is important to leave a proportion of reserves behind to aid instant regrowth, this is achieved by managing grazing covers and stubble heights. Furthermore, similarly to our animals, the grass plant requires tailored nutrition. Nutrients available in the soil can be complimented with organic and inorganic fertilisers to sustain growth. Allowing an adequate recovery period will also benefit grass re-establishment.
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