This is a critical time in the development of pasture grasses, and the time when pastures are most likely to become stressed by mismanagement.
Pasture management is really plant root and crown management and depends upon leaf management.
The first growth that perennial grasses make in spring green-up comes from food stored in roots, underground stems, and crowns. This stored food nourishes the newly-emerging leaves until enough leaf area is developed to manufacture and supply food to the young plant. The growing point of a grass plant is located at the base of the plant. New leaves are pushed upward from this point. This growing point is just above the last completed joint of the stem.