Get Turnout Ready - Preparing Your Fields for April Grazing
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As spring approaches, farmers begin the annual transition from winter housing to fresh pasture. Turning animals out in April can bring real benefits for both livestock performance and pasture health, but only if the fields are properly prepared. A little planning now, will ensure your grass gets the best start and your animals move safely and smoothly back onto grazing.
The Need for Reseed
Profitable grazing begins with healthy swards. Early Spring is the perfect time to inspect fields for damage caused by Winter weather or thinning patches.
Overseeding worn areas can quickly improve pasture density and productivity. Reseeding with quality grass and small seed mixtures helps maintain strong growth throughout the grazing season and improves feed availability for livestock later in the year.
Working with trusted suppliers, BATA can offer a wide portfolio of seed options to suit every farming enterprise, here are a few of our top picks –
- BATA Permanent Pasture Mix: A long-lasting, hard-wearing mix for permanent grazing. Has a strong balance of diploid and tetraploid ryegrasses for yield and density.
- BATA Rejuvenator: Fast-establishing overseeding mix designed to stitch into tired or thinning swards. High tetraploid content delivers rapid ground cover and improved yield.
Check Your Fencing, Gates and Boundaries
Before animals go out, it is worth taking the time to walk your fields and check boundaries. Winter storms, fallen branches and general wear can weaken fencing and make gateways unsafe. Strong, well-maintained fencing is essential for keeping livestock secure and preventing escapes, saving time later in the season. Replace damaged wire, rails or posts and repair any weak sections.
Gates should also be checked to ensure hinges, latches and posts are secure. A sturdy gate not only improves safety but makes moving livestock far easier during the grazing season, nobody apricates a shoulder gate!
Prevent Grass Staggers with Magnesium Supplementation
One of the biggest risks when livestock first go onto Spring pasture is grass staggers, caused by low magnesium levels. Fast-growing Spring grass often contains insufficient magnesium for grazing animals, particularly lactating cows and ewes.
Providing magnesium supplementation during turnout is essential for preventing deficiencies.
There are several effective options depending on your system:
Bolus Supplementation
Magnesium boluses offer a convenient, controlled-release option for animals at risk.
Separate sizes are available for both sheep and cattle, making it easy to dose animals correctly ahead of turnout.
Free-Access Mineral Options
For field supplementation, magnesium can also be provided through mineral buckets or loose minerals.
- BATA No 4 High Mag Universal is designed for free access in the field for both Cattle & Sheep systems.
- Can also be mixed into compound feeds, concentrates or total mixed rations.
Licks and Supplements
Magnesium-enriched supplement buckets provide another simple grazing solution.
- Supalyx Magnesium 22.5kg offers a weather-resistant lick that supports magnesium intake while animals are at grass.
- Crystalyx Cattle High Magnesium Minitub 22.5kg is a molasses-based lick supplement that provides cattle with extra magnesium and nutrients to support health and help reduce the risk of grass tetany.
Water-Based Magnesium
Where animals drink from troughs, liquid supplementation can be very effective.
- Rumag Aqua is a liquid magnesium supplement designed to be added directly to drinking water, providing consistent intake across the dairy or beef herd, it is also suitable for ewes’ post lambing.
Magnesium Flakes
Magnesium flakes offer a flexible supplementation option and can be incorporated into feeding strategies where required.
Plan Now for a Smooth Turnout
A successful turnout season depends on preparation. We understand with Calving & Lambing is underway, however taking the time now to repair fencing, reseed worn areas and organise mineral supplementation, will hopefully reduce potential problems later in the season.
Ensuring livestock have access to the right minerals, particularly magnesium, can help prevent costly health issues and keep animals performing at their best.
With the fields prepared and the right supplies in place, you’ll be ready to make the most of the fresh spring grass when Spring arrives.
- 17th March 2026
