Kenny Simon, program associate for the University of Arkansas animal science department, says a good balance of forage types is necessary for sustained forage production over the growing season. “Advanced planning and management is required to increase the chances of producing adequate forage for the herd,” Simon said.
A mix of 70 percent of a producer’s grass should be planted in cool-season grasses and 30 percent dedicated to warm season grasses is recommended by Craig Roberts, professor and state forage specialist for the Division of Plant Sciences at the University of Missouri. “As you go further north, the mixture can have less warm season grass,” he added.
Producers need to keep the nutrient needs of their cattle in mind when planning what types of grasses to use for grazing. Roberts said, “If a producer’s main concerns are economic and performance, they could use the new varieties of Tall Fescue and Bermuda grass.”
Producers also need to test their soil fertility levels. “If it is poor, they need to get their pH level to at least 5, although 5.8 is preferred,” Roberts said. Another consideration for producers is to remember that some grass types will need more fertilization than others.
Stocking rate is also a critical factor in managing grasslands. “Maintaining a minimum stubble height is a way to manage defoliation,” said Daren Redfearn, extension forage and pasture management specialist at Oklahoma State University. “Generally, the taller the stubble height, the faster the regrowth. Warm-season grasses usually have faster regrowth potential than cool-season grasses.”
In pastures, the estimated animal consumption of the forage is between 30 and 65 percent of what is actually grown. Continuous grazing allows cattle to graze a pasture with no restrictions on rotation. Simon added that much of what is produced is wasted, or severely reduced if not managed properly.
If producers suspect low gain rates with cattle, Redfearn suggest evaluating the two most critical factors, which are stocking rate and fertility, to ensure proper practices are in place.
“If a grazing system is carried through successfully, producers should notice two pounds per day of gain,” Roberts said. Again, this will be a different rate for different types of cattle and during different weather conditions that arise during a year.
