Prepare Forage and Cattle Now for Fall-Winter Grazing

By Blake Jackson

“Now is the time to prepare forage and cattle for the fall and winter grazing season,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. Proper management now can lead to successful grazing through the colder months and set up the operation for a strong spring.

Davis offers key advice for managing cattle and forage effectively during fall, winter, and beyond.

“Make sure the cattle that you are retaining are producing for you,” he emphasizes. This is an ideal moment to review records and identify low-performing cows to cull at weaning. Early pregnancy checks for spring-calving cows and replacement heifers can also help find open females to cull. “He suggests marketing these open replacement heifers as soon as possible to improve salvage value and reduce impact on feed resources and operation profitability.”

Davis adds, “Properly utilizing forage resources and updating those resources can provide a feeding system that will reduce production cost for your cattle operation.”

When evaluating your forage program for fall and winter, he recommends assessing cool-season pastures for weeds or thin areas. Contact your local MU Extension agronomy specialist for weed control options or potential renovation.

If renovation is needed, start this fall by smothering perennial forage and seeding winter annuals like legumes, small grains, and brassicas to extend grazing into winter.

Stockpiling fescue is another tip. “Stockpile fescue now for a cheap feed resource during the late fall and winter months,” Davis says. Proper preparation includes clipping or grazing to 3 inches and applying nitrogen according to the type of fescue. Grazing should be deferred until late fall or early winter, especially with toxic endophyte-infected fescue.

Incorporating idle crop ground into grazing by seeding winter annual mixes can also provide quality forage, improve soil fertility, and reduce feed costs. Use temporary fencing to manage grazing and maximize forage use.

“As you feed more hay and supplement, cattle production costs increase,” Davis said. Davis stresses that retaining open or low-producing females lowers efficiency and profitability. “Hopefully, these suggestions lead to retaining productive females and promoting a productive forage base to efficiently feed your cattle, which promotes optimum operation profitability.”

For further guidance, reach out to your local MU Extension agronomy or livestock specialist.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-r-j-seymour