| Home | News | Markets | Weather | Dealer Ads | Classifieds | Recipes | Features | Calendars | Subscribe | About Us | Ag Pubs | Site Map | ||
 |
||
|
|
|
South Dakota ag business directory.
Quaterly manufacturer product directory.
Humor, health, and good eating.
Country Cookbook Third-Edition.
Twice-monthly email covering producers around the region. Click here for more info or enter your e-mail to sign up.
Never miss a sale. Weekly email of upcoming regional sales. Click here for more information or enter your e-mail address below.
Check out what SDSU Extension bloggers have to say. Click Here for more information or enter your e-mail address below.
Winter grazing strategies should be adjusted during drought times
BROOKINGS, S.D. - With harvested forages in short supply in some areas, many South Dakota ranchers may graze drought-stricken pastures and rangelands this winter to stretch feed supplies.
A South Dakota State University specialist said grazing during the winter, even during drought, is an excellent way to extend the grazing season and reduce reliance on harvested forages. However, winter grazing strategies must be adjusted this year to compensate for the lack of moisture in the soil profile.
“The primary concern associated with winter grazing during severe drought revolves around winter stocking rate,” SDSU Extension range livestock production specialist Eric Mousel said. “In normal years, winter-grazed pastures and rangeland should be stocked at the recommended rate for your area. In drought years, it is recommended to use a more conservative stocking rate, which can be tricky since pastures were likely grazed off during the summer grazing season.”
Contrary to popular belief, slicking winter pastures off to the ground, even during winter, is not an advisable management strategy, Mousel said - and this becomes even more important during drought.
Plants need some residual material left at the surface for insulation from cold, dry air that will wick any available moisture out of the soil. When vegetation is not well insulated there can be significant winterkill of overused plants species.
Overgrazing winter pastures can also lead to significant erosion problems and lack of effective precipitation. With little residual vegetation left at the soil surface, wind erosion can be a challenge over the winter, especially if snow cover is limited. Also, runoff from heavy spring rainfall will increase as the amount of residual vegetation cover decreases, with the result that less moisture from these spring rains actually soaks into the soil for plant use.
As general rule, plan on leaving at least 50 percent (by weight) of the total vegetation as residual this winter to protect next year’s grass crop.
“Fifty percent may sound like a lot, especially in the face of a potential feed shortage, but that’s only about 2 to 3 inches of stubble height on most West River rangeland and 4 to 5 inches on most East River pastures,” Mousel said. “Before turning cattle out this winter, make sure your pastures weren’t already used up this summer.”
Comments »
Comment on this story
Comments will be approved within 48 hours
Comment
del.icio.us
digg.com
newsvine.com
Yahoo!
GoogleRelated Links
- Lingering effects of drought can influence pasture weeds
- 2008 U.S. Senate Race: Johnson vs. Dykstra
- Heads Up: Be aware of rental/lease agreement language
- UNL beef specialist offers tips for feeding cattle in tough times
- Market Forecaster: U.S. soybeans should be planted by middle of June
- Market Forecaster: Concerns remain that spring wheat acres will be small this year in United States
- Market Forecaster: New crop soybean values need to rally in next three weeks to attract lost acres
- Vet's Corner: Use these strategies to decrease cost of production this winter
More Stories
Tri State News » Top Stories
Wines feature South Dakota grapes, plus strawberries, apples and more
Winning toy display is an actual farm in miniature
Dairy heifers can use wet distillers grains, cornstalks
Nebraska phosphorus index with erosion calculator now available
American Polypay Sheep Association Starter Flock program is in fourth year
Find unique holiday gifts with Minnesota flair in the Minnesota Grown Directory
Agri-Tech: Technology helps farmers get results from Johne’s disease testing faster
Winter grazing strategies should be adjusted during drought times
Commercial manure applicator continuing ed set for Jan. 5
Forage grass performance trial results available
Grazing management series to be held in area
Release of sheep genome map a significant development
Beef council teams up with public broadcasting for playoffs
Scientists test breeding soybeans for use in ethanol and fiberboard
MDA encourages farmers to register early for Minnesota Organic Conference in January
MDA seeking to establish dairy profitability advisory committee
Adjusting fertilizer may help create low-phytate crops
Learners to Leaders program opens door of opportunity for 25 students