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05/27/2004
The Spring
Pasture Challenge
April and May bring their own challenges to cattlemen as has been evident in
many areas this year. Producers are anxious to move new pairs out of muddy,
dirty lots and would like the cows to feed themselves through grazing rather
than be fed daily as has been done for the past 4 to 5 months. The problem
is we are still in a period of unpredictable weather and if cows are moved
out there is still a need for protection from a late storm. But more
importantly pastures in northern regions haven’t been ready to graze yet.
This year cool and/or dry conditions have limited grass growth even of early
cool season grass species. Early turn out results in quick consumption of
the limited growth and a marked reduction in the season’s carrying capacity
of pastures depended on for the summer season. Without deferral or a rest
period, the grass never gets a chance to get ahead of the cows needs
limiting the season’s production and potentially damaging the stand for the
future.
This almost annual dilemma can be minimized by some planning and
managements. An acreage of cool season grass pasture convenient to the
operations headquarters would be ideal. Crested wheat grass is one of the
earliest growing and ready to graze species available. To maximize its
usefulness and carrying capacity it should be annually fertilized and
allowed to rest from one year’s spring use to the next. About ½ to 1 acre
of stockpiled grass is needed per cow per month.
This will stockpile some old growth for next year’s consumption and also
leave the proceeding year’s fall shoots which will be springs early start.
The temptation to go back in the fall and graze when all other pastures are
depleted can be hard to resist but should be avoided if you need early
spring pasture. Typically such a pasture would only be ready for graze by
early May. Therefore if turnout is in April it should be divided by fencing
and a limited area sacrificed for a clean dry place to spread out the herds
while hay, silage, or grain is fed to supplement the limited grazing.
Preparation should be in place with temporary windbreaks, calf shelter, etc
on locations not protected by windbreaks or accessible to wintering
facilities in time of bad weather.
Some other
options being done by a few producers is to bale graze a field of tame grass
in which hay bales made the previous year are left in the field as a source
of feed for next years early turn out. Other options include the use of
farmed forages such as spring cleanup grazing of corn or swathed annuals
used for fall pasture, or spring grazing of fall planted rye or winter wheat
when it gets 6 to 8 inches tall. There is however risk of soil compaction on
heavy land used for grazing during these wet months.
For
producers practicing low management season long grazing, while putting cows
out early solves a spring problem, it comes at a cost. Every day out before
grazing readiness probably cost 2 or 3 days of potential grazing later in
the season.
Dan Folske
Extension Agent/Burke County
Soil Conservation Technology Specialist
PO Box 280
Bowbells, North Dakota 58721
dfolske@ndsuext.nodak.edu
701-377-2927 |