Coping With Dry Conditions: Essential Grazing Management Tips for Caldwell County’s Livestock Farmers
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Collapse ▲If your fields and pastures seem a little more bare than usual, you’re not alone. Anyone with grazing animals has noticed the lack of rain we’ve been experiencing. As we prepare for winter, it’s vital that we address the challenges presented by this lack of rain. We usually count on fall’s cooler temperature for a pasture growth spurt to extend the grazing season. Since this does not seem to be happening because of lack of rain, we should adopt a few essential measures for the well-being of our pastures and livestock.
Avoid Overgrazing: As Craig Shaeffer from the University of Minnesota recently noted, overgrazing can be particularly detrimental to pastures, especially following a dry growing season. While some grass species can handle more grazing, a safe rule of thumb is to avoid letting plants be grazed lower than 4 inches. Orchardgrass and tall fescue, in particular, store their energy in stem bases. The combined stress of overgrazing and drought can significantly drain their root reserves, impacting their growth potential. Although Minnesota is experiencing drought conditions this advice is still relevant for Caldwell County.
Reduce Stocking Rates: With the diminished forage availability due to dry conditions, consider reducing the number of animals on your pasture. This could mean culling some cattle or relocating livestock to a dry lot or sacrifice paddock. When considering these options, weigh the costs of feeding hay against cull prices to determine the most cost-effective approach. As a reference, a 1,200-pound cow eating 2% of its body weight will require about 2.5 tons of hay from October through May.
Give Your Pastures a Break: Even if you notice your pastures greening up a bit when we get rain, resist the temptation to let your cattle graze too soon. Producing a ton of cool-season grass, like orchardgrass or tall fescue (like the K-31), requires 4 to 6 inches of water. Delay grazing until you see 8 to 10 inches of regrowth.
Dry conditions present challenges. Be a manager and take a proactive approach. Be sure pastures and livestock remain healthy. Don’t let inaction be your approach to dry conditions.
As always, if you have forage or any other agricultural questions, please contact N.C. Cooperative Extension – Caldwell County Center (828-757-1290) or visit us online.
— Seth Nagy is the Caldwell County Cooperative Extension Director.
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