forage cropping management - beeflambnz.com

Forage cropping management Forage cropping is an integral part of the farming system on many properties. It is a way to ensure a supply of good quality feed for maintenance of animal condition and when grazing pasture may not be possible or insufficient to meet animal requirements. Forage cropping has risks of nutrient and sediment loss to waterways as well as faecal contamination if good practices are not implemented or cropping occurs in high-risk locations. Long term soil damage and loss of subsequent pasture production can also result. When good management practices are implemented, including careful management before, during and after grazing, research shows that the risks can be significantly lowered.

Winter forage crop grazing is a specific type of forage cropping and often has a higher risk of negative impacts to the environment. It happens at a time of year when conditions are more likely to contribute to contaminant loss if the appropriate care is not taken. This section has strong links to the soil and freshwater sections in the farm plan. It may be useful to refer to these sections where necessary. Making sure that animals are cared for and fed appropriately is important for keeping stock healthy and in good condition. There are also a number of factsheets, resources and further information that can be found at beeflambnz.com/wintergrazing

In this section you can:• Outline how forage cropping fits into your

farming system• Describe the crops used and where these

are established on-farm• Carry out a risk assessment• Create a winter grazing action plan• Outline any winter grazing monitoring

that needs to be done

2 FP3.2021 – Forage cropping

Why am I forage cropping?Forage crops grown on-farm for supplementary feed are an important part of farm systems. They are often utilised as part of a resilient farm system to ensure adequate feed for stock when grass growth has slowed and there are potential feed gaps, such as during the winter or in summer-dry areas. They are also used if a high-quality feed is needed finish stock or increase production.

A forage crop is an area of crop that is grown to feed stock, usually directly from where the crop is grown (in situ). Forage crops include cereals (such as sorghum, barley, oats, ryecorn and triticale), brassicas (such as kale, turnips and swedes), fodder beet and maize and can include annual ryegrass.

Forage crops can also be used as part of the pasture renewal programme. Often as pastures age, the species composition changes and over a period of years, less palatable and less nutritious species can dominate a pasture. Weeds, pests and diseases can also become a problem. Pastures are often resown on a rotation of a period of 10 years or more, but this will be dependent on the farm system, soil type, pasture species and farm management objectives.

Intensive winter grazing is a common part of forage cropping and happens at a time of year when soils may be more vulnerable to damage. The higher stocking intensity of animals also adds to the risk of sediment and nutrient loss and damage to soils. Animal health also needs to be managed carefully due to the prevailing climatic and soil conditions and can be influenced by the crop type and amount/type of supplement also fed. If you are grazing a winter forage crop during the winter months you must undertake it in accordance with relevant regulations.

FORAGE CROPPING MANAGEMENTSTEP 1

In “Our Plan” fill out Template OT1 with your forage cropping goals. An example is shown below.


ExampleOT1

In Template FC1 in “Our Plan” (example below) outline the main reasons for forage cropping. These might be things such as:• Pasture renewal• Providing additional feed to fill summer or winter feed gaps• Limiting the impact stock may have on pastures

If forage cropping is used for winter grazing, also outline outline how winter grazing currently fits, or will fit into your farming system.

Our forage crop grazing goals Date:

Keep stock out of waterways with appropriate buffer areas

Create a winter grazing plan each year

Use strategic grazing techniques for wintering to minimise sediment loss

Replant winter paddocks as soon as practical after winter to reduce nutrient and sediment losses

Keep animals well-fed and in good condition

1 February 2021

Blank templates can be found in Our Plan section


Why am I forage cropping?

Pasture renewal

Providing additional feed to fill summer or winter feed gaps

Limiting the impact stock may have on pastures

Other: (please describe below)

To replace ryegrass endophyte with one better for animal welfare and productionWeed control for establishment of lucerne stands

ExampleFC1

Forage Crop GoalsIt is a good idea to record the high-level objectives of your forage cropping. Some examples are:• Keep animals healthy, with adequate feed and with appropriate shelter• Minimise the risk of sediment, nutrient and faecal losses to waterways• Keep stock out of waterways• Have a written (winter) grazing plan• Have a plan for adverse weather events to reduce risk to stock and the environment• Minimise soil and pugging damage• Undertake forage cropping in accordance with relevant regional rules and regulations


ExampleFC2

Year: 2021-22

Crop type sown Kale Summer turnips SwedesSeason or month the forage crop fed Winter Summer Winter

What month do you usually sow? October September November

Cultivation and sowing method Spray and drill Spray and drill Ridged

Location/Land management units used Lower flats Easy rolling block Lower flats

Identification of any unfenced waterways in winter crop paddocks

No- always fenced off No- always fenced off None in swede paddocks

Area sown in crop (ha) 14ha 10ha 4ha

Typical yield (t DM/ha) 14 11.5 18t

Fertiliser used DAP 200kg/ha 150kg/ha DAP DAP 350kg/ha sown55kg/ha urea

What class(es) of stock graze this crop? R1 and R2 Beef cattle Mixed age ewes/ cattle

as needed MA ewes

Forage Crop Programme

Description of forage croppingIt is good to have a written record of your current forage cropping programme. Fill out Template FC2 Forage Crop Programme in “Our Plan”. An example is filled in below.

To help with this, map out the areas (paddocks or land management units) you intend to graze next season. You may have already done this in previous sections, but if you haven’t, create a map of your forage cropping paddocks.




Intensive winter forage cropping

You need to be aware of the national and regional rules and graze in accordance with the regulations for your region. Information on rules, including requirements for record keeping, and regulations can be found in the National Environment Standards for Freshwater (2020) subpart 3 Intensive Winter Grazing (a link and more information can be found at beeflambnz.com/wintergrazing) or from your local regional council.

In some cases you may need to apply for a resource consent to winter graze on crops.

The definition of ‘intensive winter grazing’ under the National Environmental Standards for Freshwater (2020) is: • grazing livestock on an annual forage crop at any time in the period that begins on

1 May and ends with the close of 30 September of the same year

An ‘annual forage crop’ is:• a crop, other than pasture, that is grazed in the place where it is grown

The definition of ‘intensive winter grazing’ does not include stock which are only grazed on pasture during winter months or forage crops fed outside the winter period (1 May–30 September).



Farm mapping and winter forage cropping detailsIf your forage cropping system meets the definitions of an intensively winter grazed forage crop then you will have to make sure that you record (and keep updated) some extra information. Some of the information you need to collect and have recorded is suggested below in templates FC3 and FC4. If you are unsure of the rules and requirements for winter grazing, talk to your local regional council. Further information can also be found at beeflambnz.com/wintergrazing

All areas proposed to be winter cropped and grazed on the farm need to be identified on a map. Use this section to include a farm map showing paddocks to be used for wintering. Please include key paddock features such as:• Paddock boundaries• Waterways• Wetlands• Drains• Critical source areas• Slope• Areas prone to erosion

You will also need to relate this section to your soil and freshwater sections. Having the land management units mapped will also help to determine if you are winter forage grazing in the most appropriate areas on your farm to reduce environmental losses and avoid damage to your soils.

If required, complete Templates FC3 and FC4 in “Our Plan”, each year you intensively winter graze. Examples are below.

ExampleFC3

Farm details Farm Name Top Station FarmFarm Address 195 Station Road, RD2 OtagoTotal farm area (ha) 640 ha

Farm owner details Name Jane FarmerPhone number 021 123 456Email address [email protected] address As above

Manager details (if applicable)

Name As abovePhone number

Email address

Mailing address

Stock owner details (if applicable)

Name

Phone number

Email address

Mailing address

Staff details Name Jimmy MooverPhone number 021 123 567

Other Spray Contractor Spray Easy – 027 234 567

Winter forage crop grazing – Farm details



Exa

mp

leF

C4

Sto

ck t

ype

and

cla

ss o

r cr

op

typ

e

Num

ber

of

sto

ck, a

rea

or

sup

ple

men

t

Tota

l A

cro

ss

farm

Loca

tio

n (o

n-fa

rm),

Lan

d M

anag

emen

t U

nit

(LM

U)

or

pad

do

ck (

if a

pp

licab

le)

Nam

e To

p bloc

kN

ame

Lowe

r flat

sN

ame

Nam

e

Sto

ck n

umb

ers

win

tere

d o

n fo

rag

e cr

op

(b

reak

up

by

age

or

clas

s as

req

uire

d, e

.g.,

R1/

R2

catt

le, m

ixed

-ag

e ca

ttle

, mix

ed-a

ge

ewes

, lam

bs,

ho

gg

ets,

wea

ners

, sta

gs,

hi

nds)

Bee

f C

attl

eR1

/R2

120

80Br

eedin

g co

ws110

Dai

ry C

attl

eDa

iry c

ows

40

Shee

pHo

gget

s80

0

Dee

rWea

ners

100

Hind

s14

0

Are

a o

f W

inte

r fo

rag

e cr

op

to

be

gra

zed

ov

er c

om

ing

win

ter

(ha)

Bul

b b

rass

ica

(s

wed

e/tu

rnip

) (h

a)15

Kal

e (h

a)20

Fod

der

bee

t (h

a)

Oth

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ple

ase

spec

ify)

(h

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ther

sup

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men

ts t

o b

e fe

d t

o w

inte

r g

raze

d

sto

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e.g

. sila

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bal

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ay, s

traw

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Ro

und

bales

bale

age

60

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d ba

les b

aleag

eO

ther

Win

ter

fora

ge

cro

p g

razi

ng –

Ani

mal

det

ails

Bla

nk t

emp

late

s ca

n b

e fo

und

in O

ur P

lan

sect

ion

Fill

out

Tem

pla

te F

C4

in “

Our

Pla

n” w

ith

the

num

ber

s o

f st

ock

in d

iffer

ent

sto

ck c

lass

es t

hat

will

be

win

teri

ng o

n cr

op

, the

typ

e o

f cr

op

and

the

si

ze o

f th

e ar

ea t

hat

will

be

gra

zed

, and

typ

e an

d q

uant

ity

of

sup

ple

men

ts y

ou

will

use

. Yo

u ca

n w

ith

fill

this

in o

ver

your

who

le f

arm

or

whe

re

app

rop

riat

e g

ive

mo

re d

etai

l fo

r ea

ch la

nd m

anag

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t un

it (

or

pad

do

ck)


Risk AssessmentForage cropping, particularly in winter can pose a significant risk to freshwater ecosystem health. Waterways can be at risk though sediment, nutrient and faecal/microbial contamination. Soils are also at risk of short and long-term damage, through compaction, pugging, loss of soil structure and reduced infiltration potential.There are national and regional regulations that need to be adhered to if you are winter forage crop grazing. These relate to both environmental management and animal welfare.

This risk assessment section will help you to identify potential risks on your farm and with your farming system.

What is a critical source area?Critical source areas are areas in a paddock or on a farm that can contribute to relatively large amounts of nutrient and sediment losses to waterways. They are often wet areas such as gullies and swales, where overland surface runoff converges and can transport sediment and nutrients. The surface flow in critical source areas usually occurs during or after rainfall event of sufficient size and intensity to move water over the surface of the soil rather than draining through it.

Photos showing examples of Critical Source Areas


Sto

ck t

ype

and

cla

ss o

r cr

op

typ

e

Num

ber

of

sto

ck, a

rea

or

sup

ple

men

t

Tota

l A

cro

ss

farm

Loca

tio

n (o

n-fa

rm),

Lan

d M

anag

emen

t U

nit

(LM

U)

or

pad

do

ck (

if a

pp

licab

le)

Nam

e To

p bloc

kN

ame

Lowe

r flat

sN

ame

Nam

e

Sto

ck n

umb

ers

win

tere

d o

n fo

rag

e cr

op

(b

reak

up

by

age

or

clas

s as

req

uire

d, e

.g.,

R1/

R2

catt

le, m

ixed

-ag

e ca

ttle

, mix

ed-a

ge

ewes

, lam

bs,

ho

gg

ets,

wea

ners

, sta

gs,

hi

nds)

Bee

f C

attl

eR1

/R2

120

80Br

eedin

g co

ws110

Dai

ry C

attl

eDa

iry c

ows

40

Shee

pHo

gget

s80

0

Dee

rWea

ners

100

Hind

s14

0

Are

a o

f W

inte

r fo

rag

e cr

op

to

be

gra

zed

ov

er c

om

ing

win

ter

(ha)

Bul

b b

rass

ica

(s

wed

e/tu

rnip

) (h

a)15

Kal

e (h

a)20

Fod

der

bee

t (h

a)

Oth

er (

ple

ase

spec

ify)

(h

a)O

ther

sup

ple

men

ts t

o b

e fe

d t

o w

inte

r g

raze

d

sto

ck (

e.g

. sila

ge,

bal

eag

e, h

ay, s

traw

)40

Ro

und

bales

bale

age

60

Roun

d ba

les b

aleag

eO

ther


LikelihoodConsequence

Slight Serious Major

Low Low Low Medium

Medium Low Medium High

High Medium High High

Table 6.1 shows common risks, impacts and risk factors associated with intensive winter forage crop grazing. You can use this as a guide when filling out the risk assessment in “Our Plan”. There is also space in our plan to add other risks that you identify with your wintering areas.

Use the Risk Matrix Chart to assess risk factors that you have in and around your winter grazing areas. You can also attend the B+LNZ workshops on forage cropping and winter grazing. There are also great resources and factsheets about forage cropping and winter grazing risks and risk management that can be found on the link beeflambnz.com/wintergrazing

For each risk factor you have identified, asses the likelihood and consequence and determine the risk rating, high, medium or low. This can then be recorded in Template FC5 in ”Our Plan”. An example is given after Table 6.1.

Risk Assessment Matrix


Tab

le 6

.1 R

isk

fact

ors

to

co

nsid

er f

or

your

far

m f

ora

ge

cro

p g

razi

ng

Ris

ks o

f w

inte

r fo

rag

e cr

op g

razi

ngIm

pac

tR

isk

Fact

ors

On-

farm

con

sid

erat

ions

tha

t ar

e hi

ghe

r ri

sk

Sed

imen

t an

d

Pho

spho

rus

loss

P

hosp

horo

us a

nd s

edim

ent

can

be

tran

spo

rted

in o

verl

and

fl

ow. P

hosp

horo

us e

nter

ing

w

ater

way

s m

ay c

ause

exc

ess

al

gae

gro

wth

in w

ater

bo

die

s.

Sed

imen

t ca

n re

duc

e o

r ch

ang

e ha

bit

at b

y sm

oth

erin

g a

nd

clo

gg

ing

sp

aces

in t

he s

trea

m

bed

mak

ing

it le

ss s

uita

ble

fo

r a

wid

e d

iver

sity

of

stre

am li

fe.

Slo

pe

Ris

k•

Ste

eper

slo

pes

hav

e g

reat

er r

isk

Ero

sio

n ri

sk•

If e

rosi

on

is v

isib

le o

r lik

ely

wit

hin

the

area

to

be

cro

pp

ed it

will

be

a hi

ghe

r ri

sk•

Sto

ck t

ype

(dee

r an

d la

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catt

le a

re m

ore

like

ly t

o c

ause

ero

sio

n)

Ove

rlan

d

tran

spo

rt o

f se

dim

ent

and

nu

trie

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• P

add

ock

is p

rone

to

flo

od

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•

Pre

senc

e o

f a

Cri

tica

l So

urce

Are

a w

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n th

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•

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wit

hin

or

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se t

o t

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add

ock

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ng w

inte

r g

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d

• S

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ce fl

ow w

ithi

n p

add

ock

to

be

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ter

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will

flow

dir

ectl

y in

to n

earb

y w

ater

way

• S

oils

are

hea

vy o

r p

oo

rly

dra

ined

• S

oil

surf

ace

is p

ugg

ed o

r d

amag

ed r

educ

ing

wat

er in

filt

rati

on

• C

ulti

vati

on

is d

one

via

a m

etho

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here

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il is

exp

ose

d (

i.e. n

ot

dir

ect

dri

ll)

• C

ulti

vati

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is d

one

dow

n th

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e ra

ther

tha

n ac

ross

it•

Hig

h so

il O

lsen

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vels

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al m

icro

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l lo

ssP

atho

gen

s o

r m

icro

bes

suc

h as

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oli

may

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tent

ially

hav

e an

imp

act

on

hum

an o

r an

imal

he

alth

if t

hey

are

able

to

ent

er

into

wat

erw

ays.

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ntam

inat

ion

of

fres

hwat

er•

Wat

er c

an d

irec

tly

flow

ove

rlan

d f

rom

the

pad

do

ck b

eing

win

ter

gra

zed

into

a w

ater

way

•

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ck h

ave

unre

stri

cted

acc

ess

to w

ater

way

s•

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nkin

g w

ater

bo

re o

r ta

kes

are

clo

se t

o p

add

ock

s o

r d

owns

trea

m o

f w

inte

r g

raze

d a

rea

• W

inte

r G

razi

ng is

occ

urri

ng o

n st

ony

so

ils c

lose

to

a d

rink

ing

wat

er b

ore

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rog

en lo

ssN

itro

gen

can

po

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ially

ent

er

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erw

ays

and

cau

se e

xces

s al

gae

gro

wth

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rog

en u

sual

ly

mov

es t

houg

h th

e so

il p

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le

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h w

ater

. Hig

h ni

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gen

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an a

lso

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act

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ate

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ls in

dri

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g w

ater

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ting

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an h

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rog

en

Leac

hing

•

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ter

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zing

is o

ccur

ring

on

free

-dra

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g/s

tony

so

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ce d

rain

s ar

e p

rese

nt w

ithi

n p

add

ock

• S

oils

are

left

bar

e fo

r m

ore

tha

n 2

wee

ks p

ost

-gra

zing

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rog

en s

our

ces

• H

ighe

r d

ensi

ty s

tock

ing

will

mea

n m

ore

ani

mal

s in

a g

iven

are

a, le

adin

g t

o h

ighe

r d

epo

siti

on

of

N•

Cri

tica

l So

urce

Are

as w

ill b

e cu

ltiv

ated

or

gra

zed

•

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ps

have

diff

erin

g c

onc

entr

atio

ns o

f N

and

may

alt

er t

he a

mo

unt

of

N e

xcre

ted

by

anim

als

• U

rina

ry c

onc

entr

atio

n o

f N

is o

ften

hig

her

in m

atur

e ca

ttle

co

mp

ared

to

she

ep d

eer

or

youn

ger

cat

tle


Ris

ks o

f w

inte

r fo

rag

e cr

op g

razi

ngIm

pac

tR

isk

Fact

ors

On-

farm

con

sid

erat

ions

tha

t ar

e hi

ghe

r ri

sk

Soil

dam

age

So

il he

alth

and

str

uctu

re is

d

amag

ed im

pac

ting

on

nutr

ient

an

d s

edim

ent

flow

pat

hway

s as

w

ell a

s p

rod

ucti

ve c

apac

ity

of

the

soil

in t

he f

utur

e.

Sto

ck c

lass

typ

e •

Hea

vier

sto

ck c

lass

es in

crea

se t

he r

isk

of

dam

age

• S

upp

lem

enta

ry f

eed

ing

are

as a

nd w

ater

tro

ughs

are

no

t lo

cate

d in

dri

er p

arts

of

the

pad

do

ck

So

il Ty

pe

• S

oils

tha

t ar

e no

t fr

ee d

rain

ing

are

mo

re a

t ri

sk t

o d

amag

e an

d p

ugg

ing

and

co

mp

acti

on

Cro

p t

ype

• C

rop

s w

ith

hig

her

yiel

ds

may

mea

n an

imal

s ar

e co

ncen

trat

ed o

n a

smal

ler

area

of

cro

p

whi

ch w

ill in

crea

se r

isk

• C

rop

s ar

e no

t es

tab

lishe

d u

sing

min

imum

till

age

or

dir

ect

dri

lling

to

min

imis

e so

il st

ruct

ural

dam

age

Cul

tura

l and

Soc

ial

Val

ues

Your

val

ues

or

catc

hmen

t va

lues

co

uld

be

at r

isk

fro

m w

inte

r g

razi

ng a

ctiv

itie

s.

So

cial

•

Pro

xim

ity

to s

ites

or

area

s th

at m

ay b

e im

pac

ted

by

win

ter

gra

zing

or

effec

ts

Cul

tura

l•

Win

ter

gra

zing

in c

lose

pro

xim

ity

to s

ites

or

area

s o

f cu

ltur

al s

igni

fica

nce

such

as

area

s us

ed f

or

māh

ing

a ka

i (tr

adit

iona

l fo

od

gat

heri

ng)

Ani

mal

Wel

fare

Ani

mal

hea

lth

and

wel

lbei

ng

is c

om

pro

mis

ed a

nd li

mit

s th

e p

rod

ucti

on

of

hig

h va

lue

pro

duc

ts.

Clim

ate

and

sh

elte

r•

Lim

ited

pro

visi

on

of

adeq

uate

she

lter

and

a d

ry r

esti

ng p

lace

(ar

eas

reta

ined

in g

rass

, st

and

-off

are

a, o

r an

alt

erna

tive

pad

do

ck t

o m

ove

sto

ck t

o w

hen

cond

itio

ns a

re w

et)

• Te

mp

erat

ure

cond

itio

ns a

re c

old

fo

r si

gni

fica

nt le

ngth

s o

f ti

me

• A

nim

als

bir

thin

g in

a w

inte

r cr

op

pad

do

ck w

itho

ut s

tand

-off

are

a

Fee

d a

nd w

ater

• Li

mit

ed s

upp

ly o

f g

oo

d q

ualit

y fe

ed a

nd n

on-

conv

enie

nt a

cces

s to

cle

an w

ater

• N

o u

se o

f F

eed

bud

get

ing

to

ens

ure

anim

als

nutr

itio

nal n

eed

s ar

e b

eing

met

So

il su

rfac

e•

Lim

ited

so

il su

rfac

es t

hat

anim

als

can

com

fort

ably

lie

do

wn

on

and

no

t ex

cess

ivel

y w

et

or

mud

dy

will

red

uce

anim

al h

ealt

h ri

sk

Tran

siti

on

to

cro

p•

Tran

siti

on

tim

e o

n an

d o

ff a

fo

rag

e cr

op

is c

urta

iled

Hum

an fa

ctor

sP

eop

le a

re a

key

par

t o

f th

e w

inte

r g

razi

ng s

yste

m a

s th

ey

are

req

uire

d t

o m

ake

dec

isio

ns

and

car

ry o

ut t

asks

.

Peo

ple

• N

o p

lan

or

lack

of

pla

nnin

g•

Lack

und

erst

and

ing

or

trai

ning

fo

r st

aff•

Po

or

dec

isio

n m

akin

g


Ris

ks o

f w

inte

r fo

rag

e cr

op g

razi

ngIm

pac

tR

isk

Fact

ors

On-

farm

con

sid

erat

ions

tha

t ar

e hi

ghe

r ri

sk

Soil

dam

age

So

il he

alth

and

str

uctu

re is

d

amag

ed im

pac

ting

on

nutr

ient

an

d s

edim

ent

flow

pat

hway

s as

w

ell a

s p

rod

ucti

ve c

apac

ity

of

the

soil

in t

he f

utur

e.

Sto

ck c

lass

typ

e •

Hea

vier

sto

ck c

lass

es in

crea

se t

he r

isk

of

dam

age

• S

upp

lem

enta

ry f

eed

ing

are

as a

nd w

ater

tro

ughs

are

no

t lo

cate

d in

dri

er p

arts

of

the

pad

do

ck

So

il Ty

pe

• S

oils

tha

t ar

e no

t fr

ee d

rain

ing

are

mo

re a

t ri

sk t

o d

amag

e an

d p

ugg

ing

and

co

mp

acti

on

Cro

p t

ype

• C

rop

s w

ith

hig

her

yiel

ds

may

mea

n an

imal

s ar

e co

ncen

trat

ed o

n a

smal

ler

area

of

cro

p

whi

ch w

ill in

crea

se r

isk

• C

rop

s ar

e no

t es

tab

lishe

d u

sing

min

imum

till

age

or

dir

ect

dri

lling

to

min

imis

e so

il st

ruct

ural

dam

age

Cul

tura

l and

Soc

ial

Val

ues

Your

val

ues

or

catc

hmen

t va

lues

co

uld

be

at r

isk

fro

m w

inte

r g

razi

ng a

ctiv

itie

s.

So

cial

•

Pro

xim

ity

to s

ites

or

area

s th

at m

ay b

e im

pac

ted

by

win

ter

gra

zing

or

effec

ts

Cul

tura

l•

Win

ter

gra

zing

in c

lose

pro

xim

ity

to s

ites

or

area

s o

f cu

ltur

al s

igni

fica

nce

such

as

area

s us

ed f

or

māh

ing

a ka

i (tr

adit

iona

l fo

od

gat

heri

ng)

Ani

mal

Wel

fare

Ani

mal

hea

lth

and

wel

lbei

ng

is c

om

pro

mis

ed a

nd li

mit

s th

e p

rod

ucti

on

of

hig

h va

lue

pro

duc

ts.

Clim

ate

and

sh

elte

r•

Lim

ited

pro

visi

on

of

adeq

uate

she

lter

and

a d

ry r

esti

ng p

lace

(ar

eas

reta

ined

in g

rass

, st

and

-off

are

a, o

r an

alt

erna

tive

pad

do

ck t

o m

ove

sto

ck t

o w

hen

cond

itio

ns a

re w

et)

• Te

mp

erat

ure

cond

itio

ns a

re c

old

fo

r si

gni

fica

nt le

ngth

s o

f ti

me

• A

nim

als

bir

thin

g in

a w

inte

r cr

op

pad

do

ck w

itho

ut s

tand

-off

are

a

Fee

d a

nd w

ater

• Li

mit

ed s

upp

ly o

f g

oo

d q

ualit

y fe

ed a

nd n

on-

conv

enie

nt a

cces

s to

cle

an w

ater

• N

o u

se o

f F

eed

bud

get

ing

to

ens

ure

anim

als

nutr

itio

nal n

eed

s ar

e b

eing

met

So

il su

rfac

e•

Lim

ited

so

il su

rfac

es t

hat

anim

als

can

com

fort

ably

lie

do

wn

on

and

no

t ex

cess

ivel

y w

et

or

mud

dy

will

red

uce

anim

al h

ealt

h ri

sk

Tran

siti

on

to

cro

p•

Tran

siti

on

tim

e o

n an

d o

ff a

fo

rag

e cr

op

is c

urta

iled

Hum

an fa

ctor

sP

eop

le a

re a

key

par

t o

f th

e w

inte

r g

razi

ng s

yste

m a

s th

ey

are

req

uire

d t

o m

ake

dec

isio

ns

and

car

ry o

ut t

asks

.

Peo

ple

• N

o p

lan

or

lack

of

pla

nnin

g•

Lack

und

erst

and

ing

or

trai

ning

fo

r st

aff•

Po

or

dec

isio

n m

akin

g

Ris

kR

isk

fact

ors

on

your

far

m

Ris

k ra

ting

(H

igh,

Med

ium

, Low

)

Lan

d M

anag

emen

t U

nit

(LM

U)

or

pad

do

ck (

if a

pp

licab

le)

Who

le f

arm

Nam

eTo

p bloc

kN

ame

Lowe

r flat

sN

ame

Nam

e

Sed

imen

t an

d P

hosp

horu

s lo

ss r

isks

S

edim

ent

or

pho

spho

rus

po

tent

ially

ent

erin

g w

ater

way

s m

ay c

ause

exc

ess

alg

ae g

row

th, h

abit

at lo

ss o

ther

har

m

to f

resh

wat

er h

ealt

h.

Slo

pe

risk

High

Low

Ero

sio

n p

ote

ntia

l ris

kMed

iumLo

wO

verl

and

tra

nsp

ort

of

sed

imen

t an

d n

utri

ents

ris

kMed

iumLo

w

Oth

er r

isk

Faec

al m

icro

be

loss

ris

ks

Co

ntam

inan

ts, l

ike

pat

hog

ens

such

as

E. C

oli,

po

tent

ially

im

pac

ting

on

hum

an h

ealt

h

Co

ntam

inat

ion

of

fres

hwat

er r

isk

Low

Med

iumO

ther

ris

k

Nit

rog

en lo

ss r

isks

N

itro

gen

po

tent

ially

ent

erin

g w

ater

way

s im

pac

ting

fr

eshw

ater

hea

lth

or

dri

nkin

g w

ater

qua

lity

Nit

rog

en le

achi

ng r

isk

Low

High

Nit

rog

en s

our

ces

risk

Med

iumMed

iumO

ther

ris

k

Soils

dam

age

risk

sS

oil

heal

th a

nd s

truc

ture

is d

amag

ed im

pac

ting

on

nutr

ient

and

sed

imen

t fl

ow

pat

hway

s as

wel

l as

pro

duc

tive

ca

pab

iliti

es.

Sto

ck c

lass

typ

e ri

skMed

iumMed

iumSo

il Ty

pe

risk

High

Med

iumC

rop

typ

e ri

skMed

iumMed

iumO

ther

ris

k

Soci

al o

r cu

ltur

al v

alue

s at

ris

kYo

ur v

alue

s o

r ca

tchm

ent

valu

es a

t ri

sk f

rom

yo

ur w

inte

r g

razi

ng a

ctiv

itie

s.

Soci

al r

isk

Low

Low

Cul

tura

l ris

kLo

wLo

wO

ther

ris

k

Ani

mal

Wel

fare

ris

ksA

nim

al h

ealt

h an

d w

ellb

eing

co

nsid

erat

ions

Tem

per

atur

e an

d s

helt

er r

isk

High

Med

iumFe

ed a

nd w

ater

ris

kLo

wLo

wG

roun

d s

urfa

ce r

isk

Med

iumLo

wO

ther

ris

k

Hum

an r

isks

Ris

ks c

reat

ed o

r in

crea

sed

by

peo

ple

(ra

ther

tha

n ri

sks

to p

eop

le)

that

may

imp

act

on

win

ter

fora

ge

cro

pp

ing

ac

tivi

ties

Trai

ning

and

ski

lls r

isk

Low

Low

Oth

er r

isks

Exa

mp

leF

C5

Ris

k A

sses

smen

t fo

r fo

rag

e cr

op

pin

g

Bla

nk t

emp

late

s ca

n b

e fo

und

in O

ur P

lan

sect

ion


Identify actions and mappingAlthough grazing animals on a forage crop may create risks to animal welfare and the environment, the risk can be reduced by careful management. Follow the link on beeflambnz.com/wintergrazing for more information and resources on management of (winter) forage cropping systems to reduce the risks.

Strategic winter grazing uses a range of techniques to minimise sediment and nutrient loss. Research has shown that when used in combination, the techniques can reduce sediment loss by up to 80% when compared to more traditional winter grazing methods. Soil loss and structural damage can be reduced and will help keep valuable topsoil on your paddock. Strategic grazing usually involves grazing down the slope, (usually fences run across the slope starting with breaks at the top and then moving towards the bottom), regular back fencing and no grazing in critical source areas.

On your winter grazing maps it can be useful to draw arrows on the paddocks to indicate the way you will move the feed breakfences. Make sure you consider the slope and proximity to waterways and critical source areas.

Considerations for forage cropping, particularly in winter• Plan early for stock class, animal welfare, access, biosecurity, and the use of catch

crops – use a feed budget to work out appropriate crop type and area of crop.• Record what you are doing and where. Make sure you share it with staff,

contractors and anyone involved in winter grazing. This may be required as part of your compliance obligations with the Regional Council.

• Look after your stock – provide adequate feed, shelter, fresh clean water, and dry areas for suitable for resting and loafing

• Have a plan for adverse weather events such as a safe area to move stock to if heavy rain or snow is forecast

• Minimise excessive disturbance of wet soil by animals and machinery• Steeper paddocks come with greater risks; do you really need to crop certain

paddocks or the entire paddock?• Consider proximity to waterways and gullies, as well as flood risks• Soil type can determine the suitability of a paddock as well as impact productivity,

nutrient loss and animal welfare• The greater the risk of soil, phosphorus, or nitrogen loss, the smaller the animal

you should be grazing on the paddock or the lower the stocking rate for heavier animals

• Keep stock out of waterways and Critical Source Areas• Leave ungrazed buffer zones around Critical Source Areas• Graze from the top down in sloping paddocks, and from the opposite end of a

paddock to a waterway if present• Use long and narrow breaks, particularly with cattle• Back-fence to protect soils while allowing animals access to shelter in adverse

weather events• Allow soils time to dry sufficiently before cultivating• Use a catch-crop where possible and practical, to reduce nutrient loss, minimise

bare soil and increase feed production.



Action Plan for an Intensively Grazed Winter Forage CropsSome paddocks and land areas will pose higher risks than others based on thecharacteristics of the topography, soil, and site. These are things that can’t always becontrolled but they can be managed so that the risks to freshwater, soil, human andanimal health is lowered. It is usually best to address the higher risk factors first.

Table 6.2 has a range of risk factors, and actions that can be considered to reduce therisk rating. Use this table to help you fill out Template IT1 in “Our Plan”. (An example is filled out overleaf). Some of the common risk areas are in the table, where relevant you can use these to help address the risks on your farm. Add in the actions you identify to help address these risks and also any other risks and actions you identify. Fill in the other parts of the table such as location and time frame. The location can be all, or part of your farm, such as a paddock or land management unit. This will depend on the scale of your winter forage cropping and the detail you require.

You can find more information about management options for winter grazing atbeeflambnz.com/farmplan


Ris

k ar

eaM

anag

emen

t g

oal

Act

ions

or

man

agem

ent

opti

ons

to c

onsi

der

Sed

imen

t o

r p

hosp

horu

s en

teri

ng w

ater

way

sS

low

the

flow

of

wat

er o

ver

the

surf

ace

of

exp

ose

d s

oils

• M

aint

ain

as m

uch

veg

etat

ion

dow

n sl

op

e as

po

ssib

le. T

his

coul

d in

clud

e th

e us

e o

f st

rate

gic

dir

ecti

ona

l g

razi

ng m

ovin

g b

reak

s fr

om

to

p o

f p

add

ock

dow

n th

e sl

op

e w

ith

long

-nar

row

fee

d b

reak

s•

Cro

pp

ing

on

less

ste

ep a

reas

- ,

if it

is t

oo

ste

ep f

or

a tr

acto

r, th

en it

is t

oo

ste

ep f

or

sto

ck o

n a

win

ter

cro

p

Red

uce

the

likel

iho

od

of

cont

amin

ants

ent

erin

g w

ater

way

s•

Buff

er s

trip

s es

tab

lishe

d w

ithi

n p

add

ock

to

slo

w t

he fl

ow o

f w

ater

and

tra

p s

edim

ent

and

nut

rien

ts•

Rip

aria

n b

uffer

str

ips

or

ung

raze

d a

reas

est

ablis

hed

aro

und

Cri

tica

l So

urce

Are

as a

nd w

ater

way

s (n

ote

thi

s m

ust

be

5m w

idth

fo

r w

ater

way

s)•

Sow

ing

of

cro

ps

alo

ng, r

athe

r th

an u

p a

nd d

own,

the

slo

pe

of

the

pad

do

ck w

here

saf

e to

do

so

• S

edim

ent

is p

reve

nted

fro

m e

nter

ing

larg

er w

ater

bo

dy

via

sed

imen

t tr

ap/d

am•

Sta

rt g

razi

ng a

t in

are

as o

f a

pad

do

ck t

hat

are

the

leas

t ri

sk t

o w

ater

way

s (o

ften

thi

s w

ill m

ean

star

ting

g

razi

ng in

are

as f

urth

est

fro

m w

ater

way

s)

Red

uce

the

tim

e an

d e

xten

t o

f b

are

soil

exp

ose

d t

o s

tock

and

th

e el

emen

ts

• R

egul

arly

bac

k-fe

nce

to r

educ

e th

e st

ock

imp

act

on

bar

e so

il•

Use

of

dir

ect

dri

lling

or

min

imum

till

cul

tiva

tio

n•

Re-

sow

the

pad

do

ck a

s so

on

as is

it p

ract

ical

to

do

so

(b

ased

on

wea

ther

and

so

il m

ois

ture

leve

ls).

• Le

ave

Cri

tica

l So

urce

Are

as u

ncro

pp

ed a

nd u

ngra

zed

whe

reve

r p

oss

ible

• Le

ave

som

e re

sid

ual c

rop

aft

er g

razi

ng w

here

pra

ctic

al

Fae

cal m

icro

bes

co

ntam

inat

ing

wat

erw

ays

and

imp

acti

ng o

n hu

man

an

d a

nim

al h

ealt

h

Sto

ck h

ave

limit

ed o

r no

acc

ess

to w

ater

way

s o

r co

ntam

inan

t tr

ansp

ort

pat

hway

s

• S

tock

are

exc

lud

ed f

rom

wat

erw

ays

by

a 5m

veg

etat

ed b

uffer

. •

Sto

ck w

ater

ret

icul

atio

n sy

stem

op

erat

ing

eff

ecti

vely

and

effi

cien

tly

• B

aila

ge/

feed

sit

es w

here

sto

ck t

end

to

co

ngre

gat

e ar

e aw

ay f

rom

wat

erw

ays

and

cri

tica

l so

urce

are

as

Nit

rog

en e

nter

ing

w

ater

way

s (e

ithe

r d

irec

tly

or

ind

irec

tly

via

gro

und

wat

er)

Rec

ord

and

est

imat

e/ca

lcul

ate

the

inp

uts,

uti

lisat

ion,

and

loss

es o

f nu

trie

nts

fro

m t

he fa

rmin

g s

yste

m

• U

se o

f nu

trie

nt m

od

ellin

g t

oo

l to

und

erst

and

and

man

age

nitr

og

en lo

sses

occ

urri

ng o

n-fa

rm•

So

il nu

trie

nt s

tatu

s is

use

d t

o g

uid

e p

ost

- g

razi

ng p

lant

nut

rien

t re

qui

rem

ents

and

fer

tilis

er a

pp

licat

ion.

Low

Nit

rog

en F

eed

s•

Use

of

a lo

w-N

fee

d s

uch

as a

fo

dd

er b

eet

cro

p (

note

tha

t th

e m

anag

emen

t b

enefi

t ca

n b

e lo

st if

hig

h yi

eld

s ar

e us

ed t

o in

crea

se s

tock

den

sity

)•

Use

of

sup

ple

men

tary

fee

ds

wit

h lo

w N

itro

gen

(lik

e G

rass

Sila

ge)

to

red

uce

the

over

all c

ont

ent

of

Nit

rog

en

in t

he d

iet,

and

thu

s ur

ine

Uti

lise

exce

ss n

utri

ents

• E

stab

lishm

ent

of

a ‘c

atch

cro

p’ t

o s

oak

up

exc

ess

nutr

ient

s re

mai

ning

in s

oil

• F

or

heav

ier

soils

, fal

low

per

iod

s ar

e ke

pt

to a

min

imum

Lim

it r

isk

of

nutr

ient

co

ncen

trat

ion

tran

spo

rt v

ia a

bov

e o

r b

elow

gro

und

dra

inag

e

• E

xclu

de

sto

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Paddock winter forage cropping plan Include a representative paddock scale map that will show how you intend to graze your paddocks. Choose a paddock that is representative of the characteristics and risks you will have in your winter grazing paddocks and fill out Template FC6 in “Our Plan”. An example is given below. Depending on the extent of your winter cropping activities you may need to show more than one paddock plan.

Paddock name or number: Date:

Physical features of this paddock

Feature Key (symbol)

Fences and gates

Slope direction

Waterways and drains

Critical source areas

Waterlines and troughs

Shelter

Action plan for this paddock

Feature Key (symbol)

Cultivation direction

Grazing direction (which way the breaks will move)

Areas not grazed

Buffer areas around waterways and critical source areas

Other (such as backfences or reserve areas)

Other

On your paddock map draw on or indicate:ExampleFC6

Winter grazing paddock plan template

1 February 202121

Shelter belt

Reserve area for adverse events

Slope of paddock

Temporary hotwire around Critical Source Area

Waterway

5m buffer area

Trough

Waterline

Cultivation

direction

Grazing direction

Gate


CSA

Notes

• Cultivate across slope• 3 days feed in reserve area• No grazing or cultivation in CSA

• Direct drilled crop• Start grazing at top of slope and move to bottom• Will use portable trough and regular back fencing


Location or area that stock will go to

Feed type and allocation

Number of days of feed budgeted for adverse events

Preparation before winter

Conditions when stock will return to regular winter grazing

If there is an adverse (large) rainfall event

Will move animals to grass area next to yards

Baleage put next to yards Have enough for ad lib feeding.

14 days Place bales next to yards

When rain stops and waterways have lowered levels, paddock has no surface water

If there is an adverse (very cold) storm event

As above but if a large snow event also have tree block available to put stock in.

As above. Also have bales in reserve if have to feed in tree block

As above As above When storm is over and paddock is not too wet and waterways levels dropped/snow cleared.

ExampleFC7

Adverse weather planWe can’t predict the future, but we can plan for it. During winter there are usually some particularly bad weather events, either storms, cold weather and snow or high rainfall events. There is a need to have a contingency plan for cold weather and storm events as these may have a large impact on the environment and animals. Typically this includes planning to allow more feed and shelter for stock, and where possible options to keep stock further away from waterways or wet areas and put them in areas less prone to mud.

Some actions you may consider using during adverse events are:• Feed an area of crop saved in a drier, lower risk part of the paddock, or a different

paddock further away from waterways, preferably with some shelter such as a shelter belt. This will help keep water ways and critical source areas protected.

• Use races/laneways, yards, rough grass areas away from waterways as stand-off areas for animals.

• Utilise tree blocks that have a lower risk of environmental losses and provide shelter.• Budget more feed as stock will require more feed to stay warm. Allow for an extra 10%

above usual winter intake during cold and wet conditions. • Consider offering larger breaks with several days allowance at once.• Grass support block paddocks can be used when the weather is poor, and there are

options to utilise feed supplements while on these areas. • Get livestock to sheltered areas with reticulated drinking water available whenever

possible.

In Template FC7 in “Our Plan” (example below) note down what plans you have in place to identify when stock should be moved to an alternative location, what and where this area is, and any other actions you may take to reduce the risk to soil or animal health if there is a serious storm or adverse weather event.


Adverse weather event planning



Monitoring and reviewThroughout the season it is important to monitor your forage cropping, particularly over the grazing period. This will be important for all types of forage cropping systems. If you monitor during the season you can make adjustments where necessary to reduce the risks. You can use this information to refine your forage cropping system in future seasons. If you are winter forage crop grazing make sure you are familiar with your local regional council requirements as in some situations you may need to let them know of any issues or changes to your plan.

At the end of the season or cropping period it is important to reflect and review on:1) What worked well 2) Areas that need improvement3) Things that you leaned over the cropping period or action that you will implement

next season.

Taking photos can be a useful way to record observations in the field. If possible take some representative photos with the location recorded (geolocated- using the GPS in your mobile phone, or location noted in a diary). This will help show the good management actions that you are using to reduce the risk of contaminant losses. Photos can also serve as a reminder of things that need to be improved.

Taking some photos before the forage crop is grazed, some during and some after grazing will help keep a record of the winter forage crop grazing.

Fill out Template FC8 in “Our Plan” or use the questions to help record your observations from over the forage cropping season. Use this information in future years to help refine your grazing management and forage crop grazing plan. An example of FC8 is given below.



Yes/No Notes

Was the paddock sown to plan? Yes Left Critical Source Areas uncultivated

Was the paddock grazed to plan? Yes Grazed, top to bottom and away from Critical Source Areas

Were you able to avoid significant pugging in the paddock(s)? Yes

Paddock 15 got too wet. Moved animals into next paddock which was drier underfoot, put animals back into 15 when it dried out

Do you have some photos of the forage cropping paddocks before, during and after grazing?

Yes A before, during and after picture for each paddock saved on computer in “Winter photos” folder

Do you have locations recorded for each photo e.g. geolocated with GPS on mobile phone camera?

Yes Locations of photos taken in mobile phone with GPS enabled. Also noted in farm diary where each photo taken

Have you saved photos in a place you can easily access? Yes Saved on computer in “Winter photos” folder

Have you taken some notes over the forage cropping season? Yes Noted comments in farm diary and asked staff to report

back too.

Did you need to action your adverse weather event plan for extreme weather?

YesLarge snow event, actioned adverse weather plan when I heard the forecast. Moved stock to near yards, where there was long grass area and baleage

Did you have sufficient feed and area allocated for your adverse weather plan?

Yes Allowed for more feed during the cold

Did you sow any catch crops? YesPut in on stony lower flats paddocks that were dry enough to sow catch crop with direct drilling. Too wet on other paddocks in top block

Based on your check, at the end of the season or cropping period it’s important to reflect and review on:1) What worked well

• Adverse event area worked well, kept stock happy and warm in the snowstorm. It also reduced the pugging. • Non cultivation of critical source areas worked well, just need to work with contractor to make sure right areas left

unsprayed and uncultivated.• Top to bottom grazing- worked well and looked like less pugging at end of winter, just need to make sure that had

portable troughs for water

2) Areas that need improvement

• Back fencing more regularly- need to talk with staff• Getting the baleage and supplements in the right place before winter• Have more portable troughs for water so will make it easier to backfence• Planning earlier

3) Things that you learnt over the cropping period or action that you will implement next season?

• Planning winter grazing earlier next season• Adverse event planning made it easier as I had the feed and areas ready-to-go• Will reserve some crop in dry parts of wintering paddocks and use if very wet and then save area next to yards if more

shelter needed for animals

ExampleFC8Forage Cropping Monitoring and Review



forage cropping management - beeflambnz.com

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