When you ranch in a dry climate like West Texas, keeping your pastures green and your herd fed through the summer can feel like a constant uphill battle. The sun’s blazing, the rain clouds seem to forget you exist, and the grass you do have is stressed and struggling. And stressed forage leads to stressed, underperforming livestock — which is the last thing any rancher needs.
But here’s the empowering news: you don’t have to sit back and hope for the best. With a well-crafted summer forage plan, you can actually extend your grazing season, safeguard your herd’s nutrition, and even prepare your pastures to return stronger next year. This sense of control can alleviate the anxiety that often accompanies the challenges of dryland ranching.
Today, we’re delving into five resilient summer forage options that don’t buckle under pressure—even when the rain gauge stays dry. These varieties are tough, drought-tolerant, and proven to perform when the going gets rough. Their reliability can give you the confidence you need to navigate the toughest season of the year.
Plus, I’ll share a few simple tips to help you get the most out of them, like when to plant, how to manage grazing pressure, and what to watch for to keep your stand healthy. Whether you’re running a big outfit or just getting started with a few head, these ideas can help you ranch smarter through the toughest season of the year.
Let’s jump in and discuss how you can set your place up for a better summer—no rain dance required.
Why Choosing the Right Summer Forage Matters
When the thermometer starts hitting triple digits, and the rain feels more like a rumor than reality, your forage choices matter more than ever.
Choosing drought-tolerant plants means:
- More grazing days for your herd
- Lower feed bills because you’re not buying hay or supplements as early
- Less stress on your pasture’s root systems and soil health
- Better recovery after hot, dry stretches
In short, the proper forage keeps your ranch running when the weather won’t cooperate.
Top Summer Forages for Dry Climates
When you’re dealing with dryland ranching, picking the proper forage can make all the difference between a tough summer and a successful one. Some forages are built to handle the heat and drought better than others, giving you more grazing days and healthier livestock. To help you out, we’re breaking down five solid forage options that tend to perform well when the rain is scarce. We’ll also go over a few pros and cons for each so you can find the best fit for your operation and your goals. Let’s dive in and see which ones might work best for your place!
🌿 1. Bermudagrass
Bermudagrass is one of the go-to warm-season perennials for a reason. It’s tough, thrives in the heat, and can withstand a decent amount of grazing pressure if you manage it well.
- Best for: Long-term pasture systems
- Pros: Drought-tolerant once established, high forage yield, good grazing quality
- Cons: Can require nitrogen fertilization to perform at its best
Popular varieties:
- Tifton 85 (high-yielding hybrid)
- Coastal (standard workhorse)
- Cheyenne (improved cold tolerance)
🔗 Helpful resource: Noble Research Institute – Bermudagrass Management
🌿 2. Sudangrass and Sorghum-Sudangrass Hybrids
If you need a fast-growing forage option after a summer rain event, sudangrass and sorghum-sudangrass hybrids can be lifesavers.
- Best for: Quick summer grazing or emergency hay crops
- Pros: Rapid growth, great tonnage potential
- Cons: Risk of prussic acid poisoning if grazed too early or after stress
Pro Tip: Wait until plants are at least 18–24 inches tall before grazing to reduce risk.
🌿 3. Teff Grass
Teff grass is gaining ground across the southern U.S. because of its flexibility and drought tolerance.
- Best for: Hay production or limited grazing
- Pros: Fine leaves, highly palatable, fast to establish
- Cons: Needs a well-prepared seedbed for best results
If you’re looking for a summer hay option that doesn’t require a ton of water, teff is worth considering.
🌿 4. Cowpeas
Cowpeas aren’t just for the dinner table — they’re a fantastic forage crop, especially when mixed with grasses.
- Best for: Grazing or soil improvement
- Pros: Drought-resistant, fixes nitrogen in the soil, good protein content
- Cons: Slower growth compared to grasses
Fun option: Plant cowpeas with sudangrass for a balanced, nutritious summer pasture mix!
🌿 5. Forage Millet (Pearl Millet)
Pearl millet is another excellent option for hot, dry summers. It also has the bonus of no prussic acid risk.
- Best for: Grazing cattle without fear of toxicity
- Pros: Handles drought better than many other warm-season forages, safe at any grazing height
- Cons: Slightly lower yields than sorghum-sudangrass under perfect conditions
This forage is a great “play it safe” choice if you have variable rainfall and can’t predict how tall your forage will get.
How to Choose the Best Option for Your Operation
Every ranch is different, but here are a few questions to guide your forage decision:
- What are your goals? (Grazing, hay, soil building?)
- What’s your realistic rainfall outlook?
- Do you need fast forage, or can you invest in a perennial stand?
- Is seed available locally or quickly?
- How much risk are you willing to take with short-term crops?
It’s wise to have a flexible plan — perhaps planting a quick annual after a rain and working on a long-term bermudagrass stand in a different pasture. This adaptability can make you feel more resourceful and less at the mercy of unpredictable weather.
Planting Tips for Dry Climates
Planting in a dry climate can feel a lot like rolling the dice — sometimes you hit it just right, and sometimes Mother Nature has other plans. But the good news is, you’re not completely at her mercy. With a
few smart moves, like picking the right forage, timing your planting just right, and ensuring your soil is in good shape, you can stack the odds more in your favor. It’s all about working smarter, not harder, and setting your pastures up to survive and thrive, even when the weather doesn’t cooperate. Let’s take a look at some simple ways to tilt the odds your way.
1. Time Your Planting with Rain Chances
One of the best ways to give your summer forage a strong start is by timing your planting right before a rain. Even a small shower — as little as half an inch — can make a big difference by helping seeds settle in and start growing fast. Every drop counts in dry climates, so using that natural moisture to your advantage can boost your chances of a good stand. It’s a simple move but can set the stage for a much better grazing season. Keep an eye on the forecast, and be ready to move when the clouds start rolling in!
2. Prepare the Seedbed
Good seed-to-soil contact is key if you want your forage to take off — especially when you’re working with small seeds like teff or cowpeas. These tiny seeds need to be tucked in just right to have a real shot at germinating and growing strong. Taking the time to prep a firm, weed-free seedbed sets the stage for success and saves you many headaches later on. Weeds can steal moisture and nutrients fast, and that’s the last thing you want in a dry climate. A little extra effort up front can pay off big once your pasture starts coming in.
3. Manage Grazing Carefully
When drought hits, it’s tempting to let the herd graze things down to the dirt — but that can cause more harm than good. Leaving a decent amount of stubble behind helps protect the plant’s root systems and gives your pasture a much better chance to bounce back when the rains finally come. Imagine leaving some gas in the tank; you’re stuck if you take it all. A little patience now can mean a faster, healthier recovery later. Your soil (and your livestock) will thank you for it.
4. Fertilize Smart
A little nitrogen shot can boost your summer forage, helping young plants take off faster. But remember, fertilizer isn’t a magic cure for drought — if the ground’s dry as a bone, that nitrogen isn’t going to do much good. Only fertilize when there’s enough moisture in the soil for the plants to actually use it. Otherwise, you’re just wasting money and effort. Timing it right can make all the difference in getting the most bang for your buck.
Final Thoughts
Picking the right summer forage isn’t just about throwing something green out in the field and hoping for the best — it’s about setting up your whole operation for long-term success. In a dry climate, you need plants that can handle the heat, survive on less water, and still give your livestock the nutrition they need. Choosing the right forage now helps protect your soil, stretch your grazing season, and even cut down on feed costs over time. It’s a small decision today that can make a big difference for years down the road. Let’s dive into some of the best options to get you there.
A few bags of the right seed planted at the right time can mean:
- More grazing days
- Healthier cattle
- Lower feed costs
- Better soil health
👉 Even small wins during a dry summer can snowball into big improvements by fall.
If you’re planning your summer pasture strategy, start thinking now about what you can plant this month — and keep a few backup plans ready in case Mother Nature throws you a curveball.
Related Post ➔ Secrets to actually building a healthy, productive pasture
Need more help planning for summer drought? Check out the Noble Research Institute’s summer forage resources for more great ideas!
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