Sward Stick

Determine your forage volume, using a compressed Sward Stick.

You may want to take sward stick readings representatively in a ‘W walk’ across your field. You can read more about how to do a W walk here.

What to record


  • Value on the Sward Stick which is a pre-calibrated number with units: kg DM/Ha (kg of Dry Matter per Hectare).
  • Take 40+ measures
  • Photos

Equipment


  • Sward Stick
  • Clipboard (allows you to ‘compress’ the sward to take the reading)

How to do the test

1. Place clipboard onto sward

2. Push Sward Stick firmly down to soil surface

3. Read value on the Sward Stick level with the underside of the clipboard

4. Record in app

Take readings fortnightly or more in-season, monthly in off-season