Why score your pasture in winter?

Winter as the ideal time for pasture ‘scoring’, since slower grass growth makes it easier to assess paddock conditions accurately, according to Kris Bailey, who covers the Northern South Island for Agricom.

Pasture scoring is a visual method used to assess the health and condition of a pasture, typically rated on a scale from 1 to 5. This scoring helps identify issues such as low plant density, weed presence, or pasture damage, and forms the basis for sound management decisions, including fertilisation, re-sowing, and more.

By evaluating pastures during this period, farmers can prepare well in advance of spring with a plan. This may include designating a sacrifice paddock — an area where pasture growth is already poor and can be used during adverse weather to protect more productive pastures.

While the sacrifice paddock may suffer significant damage and require resowing, its role is critical for long-term pasture sustainability — hence the name.

“The key with pasture scoring is consistency – aim to do it at the same time each year, and winter is ideal,” says Kris. “Grab a clipboard and walk your paddocks, scoring each one from 1 to 5 based on what you see.”

Kris recommends using DairyNZ’s Pasture Condition Score Tool – Suggested plan of action - as a helpful guide. He highlights three main things to focus on during assessments: Ryegrass Density – Check for healthy, dense coverage and watch for areas where ryegrass may be thinning out.

Clover Content – Kris notes that clover can be challenging to assess accurately, as its broad leaves make it appear more abundant than it actually is. Weed Presence – Look out for both broadleaf weeds and invasive weed grasses, which can impact pasture quality and yield.

“Once you’ve scored all your paddocks, you can develop a pasture renewal plan by identifying the lowest-performing paddocks and deciding on the best course of action,” Kris explains. He advises starting with the paddocks that received the lowest scores.

“But it’s not just about replacing the pasture. You need to understand why those paddocks are underperforming in the first place,” he says. “Common underlying issues may include poor drainage, low soil fertility, or compacted soil. If you don’t address the issue before re-grassing, you’ll likely end up with the same poor results,” he warns. “Fix the issue first, then re-sow.”

Kris emphasises that a great deal can be learned from simply digging a hole in a problem paddock. “Dig a hole and see what’s going on beneath the surface,” he says. “Look at the soil structure—is it compacted? Are there signs of grass grub or other pests causing root damage?”

He also recommends conducting a soil test or speaking with a local advisor to better understand the issues affecting underperforming paddocks. There are various options for renewing pasture, from a complete resowing to undersowing—where new seed is directly sown into existing pasture.

Undersowing allows farmers to thicken thin or patchy areas without sacrificing significant feed availability. As Kris explains: “Pasture quality has a direct impact on profitability, as healthier pastures support better animal performance, reduce the need for supplementary feed and boost overall farm efficiency.”

This highlights the value of regularly scoring pastures and implementing a renewal plan to improve productivity and, ultimately, profitability.