Fall Grazing Dos and Don’ts

Here is an excerpt from the University of Kentucky's Forage Newsletter. You can find the full news letter at this link https://forages.ca.uky.edu/ 
​Although it’s fall now, KY and many regions of the US are still experiencing the aftermath from an exceptionally dry summer. Even as milder temperatures bring cool season forages out of their drought-induced dormancy, producers must continue to be mindful about grazing management. A recent article by Craig Shaeffer at Univ. of MN reminded producers to avoid overgrazing, reduce stocking rates, give pastures adequate rest, and control weeds this fall. Avoid overgrazing. Some species can tolerate more defoliation than others, but in general, plants must not be grazed lower than 4 inches. This is typically advised at any time of year, but it is especially critical following a dry growing season. When cool-season forages go dormant during drought, plant leaves and stems stop growing but growing points and crowns remain active. Overgrazing removes these growing points and drains root reserves. Orchardgrass and other perennial cool season grasses store energy in stem bases and are especially susceptible to combined stress of overgrazing and drought. Shallow rooted species like KY bluegrass and clovers are also damaged by overgrazing. Reduce stocking rates. With less forage available, reducing the number of animals on pasture will stretch feed supplies. This can be achieved by culling cattle from the grazing herd and/or relocating livestock to a dry lot or sacrifice paddock and feeding them hay. Assess feed costs and cull prices to determine the most cost-effective solution. If feeding hay, calculate how much forage will be needed through the winter. For example, one 1,200- pound cow that eats 2% of its bodyweight in hay will eat approximately 2.5 tons of forage from Oct through May. Give pastures rest. Even if pastures start to green up after some precipitation, drought-stressed plants are likely not strong enough to withstand regular grazing. Giving livestock access to a pasture before it has sufficient time and moisture to make a full recovery can reduce stand persistence. It takes 4 to 6 inches of water to produce a ton of cool -season grass or alfalfa. Smaller amounts of rainfall may stimulate regrowth, but grazing should be delayed until there is 8 to 10 inches of regrowth. While grazing regrowth before plants reach these minimum heights may provide forage, it can weaken plants and reduce the long-term productivity of the pasture. Control weeds Some weed species can take advantage of drought conditions and proliferate when cool-season forage goes dormant. Many weeds are low nutritive value, and some weeds like lambsquarters and pigweed can accumulate high levels of nitrates during drought. To successfully eliminate weeds, it is best to apply herbicide around a rainfall event. Always read the herbicide label prior to use. ~ excerpt from article by Amber Friedrichsen, Hay and Forage Grower. Hayandforage.com