By Blake Jackson
The first flush of bright green growth in pastures is a welcome sign that winter is ending and spring is beginning. As this tender grass emerges, cattle are naturally drawn to it and may begin ignoring hay they previously consumed readily. While this behavior is normal, grazing pastures too early can have lasting consequences.
Research shows that allowing livestock to graze grass before it is adequately established can significantly reduce total forage production later in the season, with substantial losses in potential growth per acre.
Grazing height plays a critical role in pasture health. Most common cool- and warm-season grasses, including fescue, orchardgrass, bermudagrass, timothy, and crabgrass, should not be grazed below three inches.
Leaving adequate leaf area allows plants to photosynthesize efficiently and recover quickly. Repeatedly grazing below this height slows regrowth, weakens root systems, and often leads to thinner stands and increased weed pressure.
In regions where fescue dominates, grazing management is especially important. Certain compounds found in fescue are concentrated in the lower portions of the plant and can contribute to animal health issues when consumed in excess.
Maintaining a grazing height of at least three inches helps reduce intake of these compounds while supporting both forage and livestock performance.
Producers using native warm-season grasses such as big bluestem, little bluestem, indiangrass, and gamagrass must be even more cautious. These species have higher growing points and require at least twelve inches of residual height to ensure healthy regrowth.
To prevent overgrazing in early spring, many producers rely on a sacrifice pasture or lot. By confining animals to one designated area and continuing to feed stored forages, the rest of the pasture can develop properly. Over time, this approach protects forage productivity, improves soil health, and sets pastures up for a successful grazing season.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-jacqueline-nix
Categories: Missouri, Crops, Hay & Forage, Livestock