Tag: rotational

5 simple ways to get your pasture spring ready

5 simple ways to get your pasture spring readySpring is almost around the corner. The temperatures will soon rise, and the grass will begin to grow again. For most people, pasture management comes to mind when temperatures rise, but that is not necessarily the case. It is vital to get a start on it now.

It is never too early to develop a plan for preparing your pastures for spring. Starting now can give you enough time to get everything you need to make it work. Also, springtime can be a very hectic time for most producers, with the calving season kicking into high gear, so it is good to get started now.

The preparation you do now can set you up for success all year long. Here are five things you can do to get your pasture started in the right direction.

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What you need to know to improve forage production

What you need to know to improve forage productionGrazing management in the fall can have an impact on your future forage production. The intensity of your grazing animals determines what state they will be in. Also, grazing during the winter may be limited depending on what forages you have available.

Having to feed during the winter is one of the most significant expenses for a livestock producer. Supplements have always been a little pricey, especially with low crop production. With the intense drought we have experienced across most of the country, hay has also become expensive if you can find any.

But there is hope. Grazing during this time is possible, but it will require good planning. Things like stockpiling forages for winter use are an alternative to limit your costs. But what about in the spring? You can take steps during this time to help that you will have grasses come the next growing season.

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5 simple ways to get your pasture ready for spring

5 simple ways to get your pasture ready for springSpring is almost around the corner. The temperatures will soon start to rise and the grass, hopefully, will begin to grow again. For most people, pasture management comes to mind when the temperatures start to rise but that is not necessarily the case. It is important to get a start on it now.

It is never too early to develop a plan for preparing your pastures for spring. Starting now can give you enough time to get everything that you will need to make it work. Also, springtime can be a very hectic time for most producers with the calving season kicking into high gear so it is good to get started now.

The preparation you do now can set you up for success all year long. Here are 5 things that you can do to get your pasture started in the right direction.

Continue reading

Using grazing management in the fall to improve forage production

Using grazing management in the fall to improve forage productionGrazing management in the fall can have an impact on your future forage production.  The intensity of your grazing animals determines what state they will be in. Also, grazing during the winter may be limited depending on what forages you have available.

Having to feed during the winter is one of the largest expenses for a livestock producer. Supplements have always been a little pricey even more with the low crop production. With the intense drought that we have experienced across most of the country, hay has also become expensive, if you can even find any.

But there is hope. Grazing during this time is possible but it will require good planning. Things like stockpiling forages for winter use are an alternative to limit your costs. But what about in the spring? You can take steps during this time to help that you will have grasses come the next growing season.

Continue reading

How to improve pasture during hot, dry summer

how to improve pasture during hot. dry summerMaintaining your pasture during the summer can be very tricky. In no time at all, it can go from adequate moisture to extremely dry. A manager has to be on their game to keep their pasture from suffering too much.

Though I am not sure how it is where you are here in west Texas it can be a very difficult job keeping pastures productive during this time. It seems most years that mother nature does not want to cooperate with you and hold back needed moisture.

While you can not control the weather there are steps that you can take to give your forages a chance. Things like rotational grazing and the right stocking rate can go a long way. Here are some things to consider when you are facing another dry summer.

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Grazing Systems: What Types are There?

grazing systems: what types are there?A grazing system, when done correctly, can assist rangeland managers in achieving management objectives. They can both boost production as well as reduce their overhead costs.

Selection of the proper type of system depends on understanding the unique combination of different aspects that go into range management. Things like the topography, soil type, the particular animal involved have to be balanced in order to get the best results.

Whether intended or not if you have animals grazing in a pasture then you already have a grazing system in place. If you are getting the most out of your pasture however is an entirely different story.

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