One of the essential considerations when grazing winter crops is knowing how much feed is available at the start of the grazing period.

A new Grain & Graze tool - the Ready Reckoner - provides an easy way to estimate the amount of dry matter available for grazing. Two versions of the ready reckoner have been produced - one for high rainfall regions and one for low rainfall regions. GRDC and MLA members will receive a ready reckoner tool with the next edition of Groundcover and Feedback, while AWI members will have the opportunity to obtain their ready reckoner for free by dialling 1800 070 099.

The ready reckoner is particularly helpful in explaining the different estimates depending on crop type (wheat, barley or triticale), row spacing and sowing rate. It also provides simple steps for calculating a grazing budget and explains how to accurately determine growth stage 30 - a critical stage to cease grazing to avoid a loss of grain yield.

For more information or to receive an extra copy of the ready reckoner, please email grain&graze@lwa.gov.au or contact Tom Dennis on 02 6263 6085.

View or download the low rainfall or high rainfall Ready Reckoners