Pasture Management

Educator and consultant Doug Warnock says that assessing your pasture’s plant community this time of year is important.
Warnock: “Of course spring growth is underway and they’re turning livestock out. As we look at pasture it is a good time to assess the pasture’s plant community. The quality is linked closely to the pasture’s productivity. Normally a pasture of mixed and vigorous and perennial plants will provide the most optimal forage for livestock. Pastures that aren’t up to that desired standard can be improved over time and of course the key elements in that is the moisture that is available. Improvement can take place a lot faster on irrigated pasture or in a climate that has a higher rainfall. Of course it is slower on the arid rangelands.”
Warnock says with that with this summer’s predicted dryness, it is important not to overgraze your pastures.
Warnock: “We need to be careful that when the grass gets dry — don’t abuse it and we need to be sure we leave enough stubble so that when the plant is able to get moisture again it can recover.”