By Blake Jackson
With the rising cost of beef and other meats, many farmers are exploring ways to expand grazing livestock production. Integrating grazing livestock into grain production systems also offers opportunities to enhance soil health.
However, poor grazing practices especially during dry conditions-can damage soil and reduce pasture productivity. Here are several strategies to maintain healthy pastures during drought periods.
Avoid grazing cool season grasses below 3-4 inches. Repeatedly cutting grass to the soil level weakens roots and limits regrowth. Drought and high soil temperatures may kill new shoots, leaving bare patches that allow undesirable plants to invade.
Reduced root mass also lowers soil organic matter, increasing erosion risk and further degrading soil health.
Consider dedicating part of your land to perennial warm-season grasses. These species have deep roots and continue growing even in dry conditions.
Grazing at the vegetative stage can provide good animal gains, but grasses should not be cut below 6-8 inches to preserve energy for regrowth.
After early September, allow pastures to rest to maintain strong stands. While establishment may take a year or two, a well-managed warm-season perennial pasture can remain productive for decades.
Summer annuals can also be part of a grazing plan. Crops like sorghum, sudangrass, corn, pearl millet, cowpeas, and sunn hemp can provide a final grazing opportunity before planting a cool-season cover crop into the remaining stubble.
Feeding hay is another effective strategy. Hay can be offered in a feedlot to prevent overgrazing or on a “sacrifice” pasture that needs restoration. The hay adds organic matter and nutrients to the soil, supporting future pasture growth and overall soil fertility.
During drought, it may be tempting to overgraze pastures, but this often harms soil health and long-term productivity. Following these management practices can help maintain healthy, productive pastures.
For additional guidance on summer and seasonal forages, resources like Extending the Grazing Season with Plant Diversity and Alternative Forages for Spring and Summer Planting provide valuable options for diversifying feed sources.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-jacqueline-nix
Categories: Pennsylvania, Livestock, Beef Cattle, Dairy Cattle