Grass measuring Techniques

stagg88

Going to the the plunge this year and start measuring grass. Not really sure which method to use. I was looking at the rising plate method with the plate on the end of the stick. does any one use this method? Is it accurate enough? Is there an easier, quicker or more accurate way? Going to use the teageasc spread sheet along with it?

Any opinions?

Zr105

stagg88 wrote: »

Going to the the plunge this year and start measuring grass. Not really sure which method to use. I was looking at the rising plate method with the plate on the end of the stick. does any one use this method? Is it accurate enough? Is there an easier, quicker or more accurate way? Going to use the teageasc spread sheet along with it?

Any opinions?

Using plate meter here, i guess main points about accuracy with it are that you drop and lift it straight and dont roll it as you walk which can push it up higher.

Id say it is possibly more accurate than say using marking on the boot as you are taking a large number of samples across the feild/paddock so your less likely to find yourself picking the high spots. We just walk a line or v shape across and drop every 3-4 paces.

49801

Far from an expert and only starting to measure ourselves this year for the first time. But these are the main points I have picked up from posters on here.
Delaval started a meag thread last year and it would be worth reading it.

Most guys measuring do it by eye balling the covers on a weekly walk.
I picked a platemeter up 2nd hand... Price of new is very expensive IMO but the payback would actually prob be quick enough.
If you have the patience clipping and weighing is the cheapest way and most accurate way to measure. Suppose to be a good way of training your eye

td5man

Eye ball it and clip and weigh occasionaly to check your estimates.

freedominacup

td5man wrote: »

Eye ball it and clip and weigh occasionaly to check your estimates.

I usually let someone else do the clipping and measuring. Just pay close attention at discussion group meeting when the grass measuring is being done. Biddy is always quoting the one about narrowing it down. Is it over 500kg, is it over 1000kg, is it under 1500kg, how much under 1500kg etc you do it automatically after a while.

Timmaay

Agreed with freedom here, the key figure is AFC (average farm cover), what each the paddocks actually are doesn't matter hugely. Plenty of people have done both, using the rough eyeballing method, and a more accurate plate measure or clip and weight a grass square, and the AFC always turns out similar.

biddy2013

didnt someone on here have marks on their wellie with the grass measurements on it . Also if you get someone who knows how to measure grass to go with you a couple of times they will show you the ropes

49801

Date Growth CoverArea. kgLW/Ha DemandDays Ahead
14/03/2014 12.1 626 40.11 903.52 18.1 26.3 Edit Delete Grass Wedge
20/02/2014 4.2 384 40.11 903.52 18.1 12.9 Edit Delete Grass Wedge
19/01/2014 0.0 435 40.11 903.52 18.1 -58.8 Edit Delete Grass Wedge
< Previous Next >

Brother went out with the platemeter today
Turning out more stock tomorrow

JOAT

Anyone have any idea of the price of a basic plate meter lately? And where did ye get it? Total novice to grass measuring. We're upping cow numbers this year and really need to make the most of every blade of grass. Aswell, is there a major difference in using the manual plate meter in comparison to the electric ones? Cheers