– Rory Lewandowski, OSU Extension Educator, Wayne County

Stockpiled forages can provide an economical late fall and winter feed. The general recommendation is to take a last cutting, clipping or grazing pass in early to mid-August and then let the pastures regrow and accumulate forage (stockpile) until the end of the growing season. Stockpiling research and on-farm trials results have shown this timing is the best compromise, amassing a substantial quantity while retaining an acceptable quality of forage stockpiled. Applying 50 lbs. /acre of actual nitrogen can increase both the quality and the quantity of the forage being stockpiled.

Tall fescue is the best grass species to stockpile because Continue reading Stockpile Now for Winter Grazing →

– Rory Lewandowski, OSU Extension Educator, Wayne County

The fall period, particularly the months of September and October, is an important time to manage pastures. Specifically, pastures must be managed to insure that the desirable grass and legume plants are able to build up and store carbohydrate reserves for the winter period. It is this ability to store carbohydrate reserves and thus keep a root system living over the winter months that distinguishes a perennial plant from an annual plant. It is during the short day, long night periods in the fall of the year that flower buds are formed/initiated on the crown of the plant. While the leaf tissue dies during the winter, the buds and roots of the plant remain as living tissues over the winter and continue to respire and burn energy. If root reserves are insufficient the plant may die Continue reading Pasture Management in the Fall →