How to use a rising plate meter

1. Set the top counter of the rising plate meter to 0 and record the opening reading (A) on the rising plate meter before you start
2. Walk through the sward in a ‘W’ pattern, taking up to 40 measurements at equal distances apart (for example, every five steps), to ensure a uniform distribution of the sward is measured.
   While walking through the sward make sure to record the number of readings taken by clicking the top counter. Sampling is done at random across the grazing  area, so dung pats are eligible for measuring, and the only areas to avoid are poached and rutted areas.On slopes keep the plate meter vertical
3. After walking through the sward, record the number of readings taken (C) and the closing reading (B) on the rising plate meter.
4. Use the following equation to calculate grass cover (KG DM/ha).
   
   Closing reading (B) - Opening reading (A)   x  158+330KG DM/ha
                Number of readings (C)
   
   
5. To calculate the quantity of grass present in the whole paddock multiply the DM yield of each paddock by the area of the paddock in ha.
6. This should be repeated for all the paddocks that are intended for grazing. Do not measure paddocks that are likely to be cut as silage or grazed by other stock.
7. By adding all the individual paddocks that are to be grazed together, and dividing by the overall total area in ha, the average farm cover present within the grazing area can be calculated.