By Blake Jackson
Summer slumps in pastures can be tackled with summer annuals, according to University of Missouri Extension's Patrick Davis. These temporary forages provide extra food for cattle during hot months and improve overall pasture health.
Three key summer annual grasses are crabgrass, pearl millet, and sudangrass. Seeding them now strengthens summer grazing options. Pearl millet and sudangrass are also great for initiating pasture renovations. They offer summer grazing while cool-season grasses recover from herbicide application.
Grazing management is crucial for both animal health and forage quality. Crabgrass can be grazed 30-45 days after planting at a height of 3-10 inches. Sudangrass requires a taller grazing height (over 24 inches) to prevent prussic acid poisoning in cattle. Pearl millet, safe from this toxin, can be grazed at 18-30 inches starting 45-60 days after planting. Avoid grazing any of these below 10 inches.
Summer droughts can elevate nitrate levels in sudangrass and pearl millet. Consulting your local extension specialist can help you develop strategies to minimize nitrate poisoning risks in cattle.
Lespedeza, a summer annual legume, is another option. Seeded in April, it thickens existing pastures and provides extra summer grazing. This drought-tolerant, non-bloating legume can even help dilute the negative effects of fescue toxicosis, leading to better cattle performance and profitability. While an annual, lespedeza can self-seed and return each year if allowed.
By incorporating summer annuals into your grazing plan, you can provide a nutritious and diverse summer diet for your cattle while improving the long-term health of your pastures.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-r-j-seymour
Categories: Missouri, Livestock