In winter, overwinter pasture serves as a crucial source of green forage for livestock and poultry, compensating for the lack of forage during the colder months. Currently, the main species used in overwinter pastures include multi-flowered ryegrass, winter grazing 70, and legumes such as alfalfa, milk vetch, and arrow pea. Proper management and utilization are essential to ensure the success of these pastures.
One important aspect is top dressing. Adequate water and fertilizer significantly enhance tillering, promote healthy seedling growth, and improve cold resistance. If nutrients are lacking, plant growth suffers. After applying base fertilizer, it's recommended to apply additional nitrogen in late winter and early spring—typically 7.5–10 kg of urea per acre. Each time you cut or hoe the pasture, another top dressing of 6–8 kg of urea should be applied. For some species like Ziyunying, combining nitrogen with phosphorus and potassium can yield better results, boosting stem and leaf growth.
Weeding is also crucial. During the early seedling stage, overwinter forage grasses grow slowly and struggle to compete with weeds. Tall weeds reduce yield and affect winter survival. It’s best to weed 1–2 times, especially before the pasture greens up in spring and after each cutting. Once spring arrives, species like winter grazing 70 and multi-flowered ryegrass grow quickly, naturally suppressing weeds. However, if the growth becomes too vigorous, a light trimming 20–30 days before winter can help control it.
Pest control is another key factor. Overwinter pastures like winter grazing 70 and ryegrass are prone to pests such as armyworms and aphids, so timely application of pesticides is necessary. Alfalfa is particularly vulnerable to sclerotinia, which thrives in wet conditions after spring rains. Applying quicklime powder or spraying carbendazim can help prevent this. Arrow peas are at risk from locusts during early spring to flowering, and using dimethoate or similar insecticides is effective.
Drainage and irrigation are important for maintaining healthy pastures. Grasses like winter grazing 70 and ryegrass are more tolerant of wet conditions, but legumes like arrow pea and milk vetch are not. Excess moisture can lead to poor root development and even root rot. Therefore, proper drainage systems should be maintained, especially in low-lying areas or where water accumulates.
Castration, or more accurately, controlled harvesting, depends on the target animals. When feeding rabbits, cutting can begin when the grass reaches 30–60 cm. For cattle and sheep, it's best to cut at the heading and flowering stages, leaving about 10 cm of growth.
Silage preparation should occur during the heading stage, with the grass cut to about 10 cm in length and kept below 70% moisture for proper fermentation. For drying hay, it’s best to cut on sunny days, spread the grass thinly on the ground, and dry it for two consecutive days until the moisture content drops to 14%. This ensures good storage quality for use during periods of forage shortage.
By following these practices, farmers can maximize the productivity and longevity of their overwinter pastures, ensuring a steady supply of high-quality feed throughout the cold season.
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