Grazing systems range from continuous all the way to a multi-pastured management intensive system. There are pros and cons for every system, but you have to decide what your goals are and do what works best for your operation. Choosing and managing forages is a key element for your operation. You not only need to have forages that meet the nutritional need of your livestock, but they need to be suited for your soils as well. It is always a good idea to have a soil test done on your pastures.
Knowing and understanding why your forages grow the way they do is also important. A sound grazing plan adjusts for the length of grazing and resting periods to balance the needs of the plants and the livestock. The length of rest depends on the types of plants in your pastures as well as what the growing conditions are. During periods of fast growth, rest should be shorter to keep plants from going to seed. Longer periods of rest are needed when pasture growth slows down. . Cool-season plants grow during spring and early summer while warm-season plants grow from early to late summer. Here is an example of some guidelines for grazing different forages:
Forage | Begin Grazing | Graze no closer than |
Cool-season | ||
Kentucky Bluegrass | 4-5 inches | 4 inches |
Smooth bromegrass | 6-12 inches | 6 inches |
Warm-season | ||
Switchgrass | 16-20 inches | 6 inches |
Indiangrass | 12-16 inches | 6 inches |
Big Bluestem | 10-16 inches | 6 inches |
Legumes | ||
Alfalfa | full bud | 9 inches |
Birdsfoot Trefoil | 6-10 inches | 6 inches |
USDA-NRCS 1997 |
Please join in on the discussion and post your comments and questions on forages and grazing.
No comments:
Post a Comment