The importance of conducting studies on the behaviour of grazing animals has been stressed by several authors. Stapledon & Jones (1927) indicated the need for such work; while more recently Stapledon (1948, 1949) has made further reference to this need.Adequate reviews of the work conducted prior to 1939 are to be found elsewhere (Castle, Foot & Halley, 1950; Tribe, 1950), and only the more important aspects need be considered here. The main weakness on the part of many of these earlier studies was that they were based on few observation periods, and that few animals were observed during each period. Many workers (Cory, 1927; Hodgson, 1933; Sheppard, 1921) carried out their observations during the daytime only, on the assumption that little or no grazing occurred after dark. In spite of this and the fact that the methods of study adopted varied considerably, some correlation exists between the results reported by the different workers.

The investigations that have been in progress at the Grassland Research Station, Stratford-on-Avon, on the management of grassland for the production of winter pasturage are discussed as four experiments, E 62, E117, E 86 and E158.Exp. E 62 was concerned solely with herbage production, while the remaining three have taken into account the performance of the beef animal under such pasture treatment.The maintenance of condition in the animal has proved possible over a number of winter seasons from 1948 to 1953, sufficiently so to warrant investigation of the means of providing as abundant pasturage as possible at this time of year from latesummer and autumn rested swards. The importance of integrating a system of winter utilization with summer production has become evident in the course of the work, and the necessity of upkeeping sward condition, more especially the grass-legume balance, has been realized. The use of alternate drills of grass and lucerne shows considerable promise in this respect. Intensive utilization and production has taken place from such seedings at all seasons without serious sward deterioration.The development of a grazing system for outwintering cattle destined to be fattened on summer pastures would provide a means whereby such cattle would be fed with as little attention and labour demand as is consistent with good stock management. With the need for cheapening of costs in beef production methods in Britain attention might well be paid to the methods outlined in the light of the experimental data presented.

The effects of management on the production of winter grass wen studied of 47 site England and Wales from 1954 to 1958. Cocksfoot swards provided better grazing during December and January than perennial ryegrass. The best treatment for winter‐grass production from cockfoot swards was to rest from mid‐August, giving un application of 52 lb of nitrogen per acre at this time. Perennial ryegrass produced relatively high yields if rested from early September, but the herbage should be grazed before the end of November because of the risk of it rotting. Cocksfoot herbage in normal swards lost more weight from December to January than cocksfoot sown in wide drills. Local Factors, such as aspect, altitude and sward vigour, were generally more important than latitude in determining level of yield in December. but there were greater lovsess of dry matter from December to January in the north than in the south.

The investigations carried out refer to the relative degree of accuracy obtained when weighing grazing bullocks at different times during the day. An endeavour was made to find a time when animals could be weighed with the minimum of disturbance in their grazing habits and when the weights recorded had the minimum day-to-day variation.It is suggested that weights recorded early in the day when the animals are generally of a constant habit have day-to -day variations comparable to those obtained after overnight fasting.Alternatively, it is suggested that cattle at grass should be weighed after fasting overnight. In this case the fast should follow ‘the-end-of-evening’ grazing and water should be provided in the fasting yard.

An attempt has been made to evaluate the role of seven ‘ultra-simple’ seeds mixtures in the production of pasture during the grazing season. The individual value of each mixture is assessed and its period of production described.Pasture output was measured in dry matter and protein yields along with live-weight gains obtained with fattening cattle.