A model for evaluating grassland management decisions on dairy farms in the UK

The paper describes the structure, use and validation of a farm advisory model designed to evaluate grassland management on dairy farms. Using the model, it is possible to assess the implications of altering the timing and frequency of conservation cuts, of changing the pattern of fertiliser application, of altering the level of concentrate feeding and of changing grazing management. Comparisons of predicted with recorded grass yields, conservation areas and grazing efficiencies have shown that the model, in general, simulates farm and experimental observations reasonably well. However, for individual farms, cut yields and areas, the prediction errors can be large.