A Rising Plate Meter for Estimating Production and Utilization

Abstract

The rising plate meter (RPM) was used to determine forage production and livestock utilization in a rotational grazing system on improved annual pasture in California. Prior to rotating livestock, herbage weight (y) was related to meter reading (x) by the linear model: y = a + bx. Forage utilization by sheep was estimated by summing growth and disappearance in grazed pastures. Forage disappearance for pastures was based on meter readings before and after grazing. Plant growth in grazed pastures for the same period was based on meter readings for pastures not then grazed. Use of RPM in a rotational grazing system proved to be a quick and effective way of assessing forage growth and utilization.