Farm Progress

A guide to starting the grazing season in the Northern Plains.

April 27, 2017

1 Min Read
TOO EARLY? Cattle graze a pasture in North Dakota. Turning them out too early before the grass is high enough will hurt total forage production.NDSU

Is your grass ready to be grazed?

“Grazing too early in the spring can be costly in terms of total forage production during the entire grazing season,” warns Kevin Sedivec, North Dakota State University Extension Service rangeland management specialist.

Grazing readiness for most domesticated pasture grasses is when they are at the three-leaf stage of growth. For native range grasses, it is the 3½-leaf stage.

In North Dakota, domesticated grasses — such as crested wheatgrass and smooth brome — are usually ready to be grazed beginning in late April and early May. Native range grasses typically reach grazing readiness in mid to late May.

However, grazing readiness varies with moisture, weather and past management. As a result of these factors, the exact timing of grazing readiness can vary across a state.

To help landowners identify grazing readiness in their area, Sedivec and NDSU Extension livestock environmental stewardship specialist Miranda Meehan are working with 18 Extension agents across the state to monitor grazing readiness this spring.

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COUNTY CHECK: NDSU Extension agents are monitoring grass growth in these 18 counties to help producers determine when it is OK to turn out cattle. (Photo: NDSU Extension)

For more information on determining grazing readiness, contact your county office of the NDSU Extension Service or visit tinyurl.com/grassmgmt for NDSU Extension’s Ranchers Guide to Grassland Management IV.

Source: NDSU Extension Communications

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