– Clif Little, OSU Extension Educator Agriculture and Natural Resources, Guernsey County
A summer annual can reduce grazing pressure during a summer slump.
Successful grazers have a plan for all situations. Let us look at an inevitable period and discuss some management options. Farms have different management options based on resources, unique to each grazing operation.
Each summer brings slowed forage growth. Temperature, rainfall, grazing management, and forage species all influence the extent of forage regrowth during the summer. One should strive to maintain proper grazing heights throughout the season, especially during dry periods. Grazing height is of utmost importance in terms of reducing plant stress, maintaining forage species diversity, productivity and maximizing livestock forage consumption. A post grazing residual plant height of 3 inches will reduce the negative affects hot and dry weather can have on cool season perennial grass. Grazing too close during the summer will slow pasture recovery when rain and cooler weather returns. Furthermore, animals grazing endophyte infected tall fescue too close in the heat of the summer, may be consuming elevated levels of ergovaline, a toxic alkaloid. Where possible, select forages other than tall fescue to graze during the hot summer months.
For some, having a hay field fenced can provide a grazing alternative if soil conditions are favorable. Summer forages can be significantly different in terms of palatability and nutritional quality. Aways transition animals slowly when changing to forages that are significantly different than what they have been grazing.
One option to reduce forage needs during a drought is to cull unproductive animals. Reducing the livestock inventory prior to forage shortages helps to extend pasture mass and reduce forage and feed requirements. Another option is to supplement animals with hay and or concentrate. Supplementation can reduce the pasture forage requirement. Feeding hay and supplementing with feed concentrates can stretch pasture reserves. Feeding hay in a sacrifice paddock or on a heavy-use pad will allow for an extended pasture recovery period while preserving forage mass. When supplementing forage with grain concentrates, remember grain can increase total dry matter consumption and the digestibility of poor-quality forage.
Some grazers utilize warm season perennials or summer annuals to provide forage during dry periods. There are many options to choose from here, and one must consider which livestock species will be grazed, cost and how the forage is to be utilized. Keep in mind summer warm season annuals such as sorghum sudangrass and corn can accumulate excess amounts of nitrates during periods of drought and should be checked before grazing.
Midsummer also requires livestock producers think about pasture weeds. During this period our main objective is to prevent more weed seeding. Clipping can accomplish this task and slows weed maturity development. Herbicide effectiveness when temperatures are at, or approaching 90 degrees Fahrenheit, can be reduced and cause them to be more subject to drift. Use caution with pasture herbicides during the summer, most products will perform better when weeds are actively growing and not fully mature.
In summer, animals may be prone to eat plants they don’t usually eat so be aware of the poisonous plants in and around your pasture. Our OSU Beef Cattle Letter, https://u.osu.edu/beef/ can be searched for numerous articles relating to drought and poisonous plants.
Summer is here and the plan for livestock and forage management should be in place. Are you ready for an extended hot and dry season? Plan now, and you will be better prepared for the inevitable.