By Blake Jackson
Spring is a crucial time for setting the stage for abundant and healthy pastures throughout the grazing season. While the urge to turn livestock out on fresh green pastures might be strong, holding off for a bit can significantly benefit your fields in the long run.
Planning for Success: Fertility and Soil Health
The foundation of good pasture management lies in proper soil fertility. Conducting a fall soil test allows you to make informed decisions about fertilizer application, ensuring optimal growth for both grasses and legumes. The results will guide you in amendments like lime to achieve the ideal pH level for your pastures.
Nutrient Management: Winter Feeding and Beyond
Winter feeding practices significantly impact pasture nutrient levels. Livestock redeposit a substantial portion of the nutrients they consume back into the fields. Factoring in this "hay contribution" when planning fertilizer application helps avoid over-fertilization. Additionally, consider supplementing pastures with nitrogen during green-up to boost yield and plant density.
Restoring Damaged Areas and Considering Reseeding
Winter often leaves behind damaged areas in high-traffic zones near water sources, feeders, and favorite grazing spots. Moving these elements to new locations allows the damaged areas to recover or be reseeded. For heavily damaged pastures, full-blown renovation might be necessary. Consider factors like current productivity before undertaking such a project.
When choosing what to plant in damaged areas, opt for perennial forages that align with your operational needs for long-term benefits. In temporary feeding areas, annual grasses that establish quickly might be a better solution.
Grazing Management: Key to Pasture Health
Maintaining proper forage height is essential for pasture health. It ensures good forage quality, suppresses weeds, and promotes summer survival. Rotational grazing, where animals graze on sections of the pasture while others rest and regrow, is a preferred strategy over continuous grazing. This allows for manure distribution and prevents selective grazing by livestock.
By rotating animals to fresh paddocks when forages reach a specific height, you promote regrowth and maintain carbohydrate reserves in the plants. Additionally, rotational grazing helps manage carrying capacity during wet springs to prevent damage from hoof shear and soil compaction.
By following these spring pasture management practices, you can lay the groundwork for a productive grazing season with healthy, resilient pastures.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-jacqueline-nix
Categories: Pennsylvania, General, Livestock