Category: Range/Pasture (Page 1 of 6)

How to actually manage forage and feed in drought

October 19, 2024 /

How to actually manage forage grazing and feed in droughtWinter grazing management can have an impact on your future forage production. The intensity of your grazing animals determines what state they will be in. Also, grazing during the winter may be limited depending on what forages you have available.

Feeding during the winter is one of the most significant expenses for a livestock producer. Supplements have always been a little pricey, especially with low crop production. With the intense drought we have experienced across most of the country, hay has also become expensive, if you can find any.

However, with careful planning, grazing during this time is not only possible but can also be cost-effective. Strategies like stockpiling forages for winter use can help you manage your costs. And what about in the spring? You can take proactive steps during this time to ensure that you have healthy grasses come the next growing season.

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Soil testing 101: a rancher’s guide to better yields

September 21, 2024 /

Soil testing 101: a rancher's guide to better yieldsSoil testing, often overlooked, is a powerful tool in range management. Understanding your soil’s fertility and nutrient composition is critical to informed decision-making. Instead of relying on guesswork, soil testing empowers producers to make targeted fertilizer applications, maximizing their resources and improving forage production.

Soil fertility and health are the bedrock of forage production. By increasing forage production, the need for costly supplements is reduced. This cost-saving potential, coupled with improved soil health, underscores the importance of soil testing for producers, providing a sense of financial security.

Improving pasture health, productivity, and longevity doesn’t have to be daunting. The practical first step is soil testing, a straightforward process that can often be overlooked in the midst of daily tasks. Here are five practical tips to help producers get the most out of their soil tests and make the process more manageable.

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How to win the battle against pasture prickly pear

September 1, 2024 /

How to win the battle against pasture prickly pearPrickly pear, along with other cactus species, is a pressing issue in pastures. The proliferation of these cacti can impede livestock movement and pose serious health risks.

Prickly pear can rapidly overtake a pasture, choking out more desirable forages. Once established, controlling it is a labor-intensive, long-term endeavor. Complete eradication is unlikely, even with significant effort.

Because of this, they pose a very serious problem for livestock producers wherever they appear. Here are some things to consider before controlling this troublesome plant.

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How to really manage a ranch during drought

July 31, 2024 /

How to really manage a ranch during droughtDrought can be devastating. Forages stop producing, making it difficult for ranchers to make food. Drought can make things seem bleak.

With all this difficulty, it can be easy to fall into a ‘survival’ mode during this time. This mode often involves taking extreme measures such as selling off a large portion of your herd or drastically reducing feed, just hoping that things will turn better. This ‘survival‘ mode is a state of mind where the immediate crisis takes precedence over long-term planning, and the focus is on short-term survival. However, these measures can lead to long-term adverse effects on your operation. But what if I told you there was a different option?

While you may be unable to stop drought from happening, all is not lost. The one thing to remember is that eventually, the rains will come back, so you will need to look ahead. There are things that you can do during this time to ensure that your pasture will bounce back once the rain does return; here are some things that you can do in the meantime:

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How to achieve perfect hay bales every time

June 5, 2024 /

How to achieve perfect hay bales every timeLooking out onto a field of perfectly rolled hay bales is not just a beautiful sight; it’s a testament to your hard work and expertise. The feeling of pride and accomplishment that comes from baling them yourself is truly unmatched.

When it comes to making the perfect hay bale, there are many steps to take care of. For instance, the maturity of the forages, such as alfalfa or timothy grass, is crucial. Alfalfa is typically baled when it reaches the early bloom stage, while timothy grass is best baled when it’s in the late boot stage. Other factors like being at the proper moisture content and the settings on the machines you will be using all play a part in how your hay bales will turn out.

But how can you combine all the factors to produce your desired result? Well, today, I will go over the four main steps you can use to make the perfect hay bale.

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Get your pasture summer ready in 4 surprisingly easy steps

May 12, 2024 /

Get your pasture summer ready in 4 surprisingly easy stepsHaving a good summer pasture management plan can save you many headaches later on. It will allow you to put out potential fires, not literally, before they occur.

As the days begin getting longer, now is the time to get that plan figured out and put into place. Early planning not only helps you stay ahead of potential issues but also gives you a sense of control over the unpredictable variations that can occur. Don’t wait till the last minute on this one; start now and feel prepared.

During this time, your pastures will be the base for all of your cattle’s nutritional needs. While they may be able to meet all of their demands now, that may not be the case in a couple of months. As anyone who has been involved in ranching will tell you, the weather can change you on a dime. What was once lush and green can turn brown and nonperforming in a matter of a couple of weeks.

But with some foresight, you can be ahead of the curve when it comes to anything the weather throws at you. I have compiled four steps that you can take to plan out your summer pasture management needs.

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How to actually measure pasture forage intake of livestock

April 26, 2024 /

How to actually measure pasture forage intake of livestock

As esteemed cattle producers, your expertise is invaluable in understanding the critical role of measuring pasture forage intake. Your knowledge and experience in properly assessing the amount of forage consumed by grazing animals is essential to optimizing their nutrition and overall well-being. It allows us to make informed decisions about grazing management, pasture utilization, and livestock nutrition planning.

Your effective measurement of pasture forage intake not only helps maximize the use of available resources and prevent overgrazing but also plays a crucial role in maintaining the sustainability of grazing lands. By understanding and quantifying our livestock’s forage consumption, we can tailor management practices to promote healthy growth and efficient feed utilization. Your actions, as experienced cattle producers, can significantly contribute to the environmental sustainability of our operations.

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4 simple ways to get fertilizer costs under control

March 29, 2024 /

4 simple ways to get fertilizer costs under controlFertilizer costs have increased significantly over the last few decades, even more so over the last couple of years. For example, nitrogen fertilizer has doubled in just the last two years. With the way things are going, it does not look like they will change for the better any time soon.

Commercial fertilizer is the most expensive input in warm-season forage production. Since this is a costly resource, we need to use it efficiently. This action will ensure that a producer can optimize the return on the investment for the most profits.

I will tell you that when it comes to efficiency, that does not mean being the “cheapest.” Going with the lowest cost in the long run can actually end up costing the most. Here are four ways to optimize what fertilizer you put out while reducing forage production costs.

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5 simple ways to get your pasture spring ready

February 22, 2024 /

5 simple ways to get your pasture spring readySpring is almost around the corner. The temperatures will soon rise, and the grass will begin to grow again. For most people, pasture management comes to mind when temperatures rise, but that is not necessarily the case. It is vital to get a start on it now.

It is never too early to develop a plan for preparing your pastures for spring. Starting now can give you enough time to get everything you need to make it work. Also, springtime can be a very hectic time for most producers, with the calving season kicking into high gear, so it is good to get started now.

The preparation you do now can set you up for success all year long. Here are five things you can do to get your pasture started in the right direction.

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Mesquite: 5 proven steps to getting it under control

February 10, 2024 /

Mesquite: 5 proven steps to getting it under controlMesquite trees are the most popular “trash” tree out there. Mostly, that popularity is due to the excellent BBQ wood that it provides. Despite its ability to supply us with some superb firewood, it poses some problems for range managers.

Now, do not get me completely wrong on this. Despite being viewed by some as a poor-quality rangeland plant, mesquite does have some benefits. One such benefit is that it can provide food and cover for wildlife and livestock. Also, since it is classified as a legume, it has the ability to fix nitrogen back into the soil.

Despite the above benefits, it can easily dominate rangeland if left unmanaged. In the process of doing that, it will choke out any grass that you may have in the pasture. What that means is that there will be less for your animals to eat. With it also being a very thirsty plant, it will also suck your place dry if you let it get out of hand.

A disclaimer is needed here, so the thing to remember is that complete eradication is unlikely, not to mention unnecessary, but getting them under control is possible. Here are five steps that you can follow to gain better control of your pastures.

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