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.
