On the other hand, starting grazing too late increases forage loss and waste through trampling or reduced palatability. Pasture and range managers generally base grazing readiness or time to begin grazing on calendar date. We recommend that grazing readiness be based on the development stage of the most common or key grass species in the pasture or range. The recommended plant development stage for beginning spring grazing of both native and tame grass species is when the plants have three to four leaves. Grass plants develop in an orderly and consistent manner.
Leaves are the major plant organ of interest for grazing.
A new leaf becomes visible on a plant after the one preceding it is almost fully developed. The air temperature on any spring day differs from year to year, so the amount of heat energy available for plant development for any calen-dar date, hence development stage, will also vary from year to year. It is important to understand the difference between plant development and plant growth for determining grazing readiness. Development refers to the formation of plant structures, such as leaves, in an orderly and consistent pattern. Plant growth is the accumulation of forage dry matter or the expansion of leaves and stems.