The disc meter is a simple inexpensive instrument which may be used to make rapid yield estimates of standing forage. Linear regression relationships between meter reading and pasture dry matter yield are usually fairly good, but these may be affected by a number of different factors. The meter should therefore be calibrated for each specific set of conditions in which it is to be used. Estimation of pasture yield with this instrument provides an objective basis on which to adjust animal numbers in grazing trials and enables pasture intake by grazing animals to be estimated in rotational grazing systems. It may also be useful for quantitatively describing pasture?animal relationships and for constructing pasture growth curves.
Journal articles from the Grassland Society of Southern Africa (GSSA) African Journal of Range and Forage Science as well as related articles and reports from throughout the southern African region.