As you keep planning and re-planning your grazing management, one thought probably bounces back repeatedly. Since the feed supply is changing every day, it can be difficult to keep supply under control. A walk through your paddocks every ten days will provide an estimate of quantity and quality. The total amount could be put on a graph. Another line could be drawn on the same graph to show the total needs of your livestock for the entire year.
Surplus grass can occur any time.
The surplus that most of us is familiar with is when spring growth surpasses demand. Surplus may exist when stocking rates are too low or when too much fertilizer is applied. In the Midwest, a grazing rotation of fourteen days is needed to maintain control with a stocking rate of 25 to 35 lactating dairy cows per acre per 24 hours. The cows should graze one half of what is offered. When they start leaving more than half, skip the next paddock to be grazed, and graze the one following, because this one will have less feed.