 |
From a farmer's point of view, the ideal intensive grassland would be one in which high yielding grasses such as Perennial Ryegrass dominated. There would be no weeds such as docks, thistles or nettles. The field would be flat enabling harvesting operations to be carried out efficiently and quickly. The fields should also be within easy reach of the farm buildings. This means less transport for harvested grass. |
 |
Dairy cows also require grazing within easy reach of where they are milked, as they will be milked twice a day. Some dairy farms even milk the cows three times a day. Therefore the cows must be able to consume all the grass they need in the short time they have to graze. Intensive agricultural grasslands therefore have to produce high volumes of nutritious grass. |
 |
Sheep may lightly graze the fields in winter when the cattle have been housed indoors. At this time of year there is insufficient grass growth for cattle. The land is also often too wet for the heavy cattle to remain outside. If they are not housed indoors they will soon churn up the valuable grassland. The farmer therefore harvests grass during the growing season and usually stores it as a winter feed known as silage. |