Some level of drought in the Dakotas has been sticking around for the past several years, according to U.S. Drought Monitor reports. With these dry conditions in the fall, effects on grazing systems and pastures could include compromised root reserved, depleted forage supplies, and strain on soil and water resources.

All of this could add up to challenging spring conditions, but taking proactive steps now can help prepare pastures for recovery.

Assess conditions

The South Dakota State University Extension says to start assessing by conducting a forage inventory to evaluate feed supplies. This should include hay, silage and other stored feed to determine whether your reserves can carry your operation through to early spring or if additional feed is needed.

Check out your pastures to gauge the health. Less soil moisture is a result of reduced rainfall, which can lead to weakened plant roots and bare patches in the pasture. Overgrazed or bare areas are more susceptible to erosion and slow recovery come spring.

Consider prioritizing these most vulnerable areas in your grazing and recovery plans.

Develop a plan

Creating a strategic grazing plan this winter can help minimize stress on pastures while preserving forage for spring. SDSU says to rotate livestock carefully to avoid overgrazing areas already stressed from a dry fall. As cattle need adequate nutrition to sustain them through the winter, reducing stock density and providing supplemental feed may be necessary depending on drought severity on your operation.

Related:Be wary of overgrazing pastures this fall

Winter grazing, when done correctly, has little to no influence on the coming year’s production. Although dormant grasses can be hardier, with carbohydrate reserves stored underground, overgrazing still is a concern that can affect pasture health come spring.

Focus on grazing pastures that received slightly more moisture, and temporary fencing can be a useful tool to control livestock movement while protecting areas that need more recovery.

Monitor stocking rates

Your stocking rates should not be greater than the carry capacity of the pasture, ensuring resource management and optimal forage production. Adjusting the stocking rate early and assessing often will help prevent loss of forage production.

Evaluate your herd size, and consider selling cull animals or leading additional grazing land to reduce pressure on rangelands. Reducing stocking rates can be a difficult decision, but it is often necessary to protect the long-term health of your land.

SDSU says another strategy is to designate reserve pasture for spring grazing. These will be areas that are not heavily grazed in the fall and may be able to recover faster as winter and spring precipitation improves. This will ensure that you have high-quality forage available at the start of the grazing season.

Related:Brix test may not be best for pasture management

Plan ahead for feeding

Winter grazing doesn’t eliminate the need to feed hay, but it can be used as a strategy to reduce the amount of hay required. Dormant grasses contain less than 6% crude protein, and cows should be provided with adequate supplementation to meet nutritional requirements.

Hay, silage and grain-based rations all can be used to stretch forage supplies, but it’s vital to balance feeds properly with the nutritional needs of your livestock. Don’t discount cornstalks or soybean stubble as an affordable and effective option while managing carefully to maintain soil health for next year’s crop.

Plenty of challenges come from a dry fall, but within that challenge is an opportunity to implement adaptive management strategies. With careful timing and proper management, ranchers can reduce the influence of drought stress while setting the stage for a successful spring grazing season.

For more information and guidance from experts, contact your local extension office.

Related:Fight sericea lespedeza with fall burn

The NDSU Extension and SDSU Extension contributed to this article.