Farm tour to showcase native warm season grasses

By Blake Jackson

University of Missouri Extension is hosting a free farm tour on July 23rd to highlight the benefits of native warm-season grasses. The tour will feature two successful Lawrence County farms that have integrated these grasses into their forage systems.

The first stop is at the Scott and Ryan Bilyeu farm, where a paddock of native warm-season grass has been established. This stand, dominated by big bluestem and Indiangrass, offers a valuable forage resource during the summer months when traditional pastures struggle.

“Heat- and drought-tolerant warm-season native grasses provide forage for cattle, especially during the summer slump when temperatures rise, rainfall diminishes and cool-season pastures wane,” says Schnakenberg. “They also can be outstanding options for high-yielding hay, requiring less fertilizer than other forages and harvested at drier times of the year than when fescue should be harvested.”

The second stop is Ryan Post's farm, where native grasses are primarily used for hay production. Post has already harvested an abundant crop this year and the tour will showcase the grass's rapid regrowth.

The tour concludes with a light meal at the MU Southwest Research, Extension and Education Center in Mount Vernon.

To reserve a spot for the meal, please pre-register by July 19th by calling 417-357-6812.

This free event is a valuable opportunity for farmers and ranchers to learn more about the benefits of native warm-season grasses and see them in action. The tour will showcase the versatility and resilience of these grasses and their potential to improve livestock production and soil health.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-ahavelaar