Grass measuring posts can be used to show increased pasture growth, if any. Taking photos from the same position over a period of time (ideally at the same time of day) is one reliable way of finding out. Improvement in pasture quality is shown by cattle consistently showing preference for one plot over the other. This too can be recorded on photos and/or in notes of the observations. Given the long time between observations, recording is far more reliable than human memory.
Materials
Two posts are needed: one for the treated area and one for the control area. Each consists of:
- A 1.8 m star picket
- A 1.2m length of 9cm PVC storm drain pipe. (This prevents cattle from rubbing against the pickets and knocking them over as the pipe rolls and does not scratch.)
- Glue-on figures from 0 to 9, plus one extra “1” to make a “10”. Size: 70mm x 43mm (Make sure they are flexible, stiff ones can’t be attached to a pipe.)
- 2 rolls of heavy-duty cloth tape, black and red, shows-up best. (Rolls are 4.5m long and 48mm wide. Cut a snip at 2cm and tear it from there.)
Getting started
Gather all the materials before you start. (Experience, don’t ask!)
Marking the Pipe
Draw a straight line across the length from end to end on the pipe. (To make sure the numbers in a straight vertical line.)
Mark the 10cm distances by drawing lines 10cm apart around the pipe. (Use a piece of lino as shown.)
Tear a strip of black cloth tape and stick it below the bottom line, with the top touching the line. Next a strip of red on the next line and so on.
The Numbers
Place the first number above the bottommost strip, just touching it. Starting at 10cm from the bottom.
Use even numbers on one post and uneven ones for the other. (We use the uneven numbers for the treated areas and the even numbers for controls. There will be less chance of mix-ups when we compare photos across various sites if we all do that. Or when looking at them in future years. Offset the placement of numbers by placing them one segment higher on the evens pipe.)
Skip the next strip and place the next number. Repeating until all the numbers are placed, then repeat for the other pipe.
Placing the Post and Taking Photos
Place the post 5m from the fixed point from where you’ll take photos such as a fence post and clearly mark that post.
Tips:
- When taking photos, keep the top of the marking post at the top of the picture, see the photo at the top. (That provides details, such as grass height and flower spikes on grass, needed to make decisions and comparisons.)
- Try to take photos at the same time of day.
- Avoid intruding objects such as branches and shadows.
