– Victor Shelton, Retired NRCS Agronomist/Grazing Specialist

Grazed early last fall with short rest compared to long recovery. 1500 lbs. total dry matter per acre and 3250 lbs. per acre before first grazing.

I’m glad that May has finally arrived.  For me, it’s been a wet and somewhat stormy spring so far.  If you haven’t done it already, it’s a really good idea to walk your pastures before grazing them for the first time.  You can use your ATV if you prefer, but I’d rather see you walking and observing closely rather than taking quick glances and a joyride.  It wouldn’t hurt to take some pictures to compare current conditions to other time periods.

First, assess how much new growth is actually present in each paddock or field.  The amount can be deceiving unless you actually step into it.  Ideally, take a yardstick with you and measure the average height of the new forage.  For most cool-season forages, I like to see at least eight-to-10 inches of growth prior to grazing.  I don’t want to sound like a broken record, but it’s important to Continue reading Spring pasture management; Plan now to optimize the entire grazing season →