Prickly pear as well as with other species of cactus are a common problem in pastures. They can interfere with the movement of livestock and cause serious health problems. Along with this they can overtake a pasture very quickly and strangle out more desirable forages. Because of this they pose a very serious problem for livestock producers wherever they show up.
Category: Range/Pasture (Page 6 of 6)
The mesquite tree is one of the toughest and most invasive species of brush there is. It has come to populate several million acres in Texas alone. As any rancher will tell you, if left unchecked it will quickly take over a pasture. Though it is a bit of a nuisance, it does have some value to both livestock and wildlife. Here are some ways that you can use to control the mesquite that is in your pasture.
Do you know what your stocking rate is? Let me rephrase that: Do you know what your real stocking rate is? Many people follow just a general rule of thumb that was developed years ago. The truth is that cattle will not always graze on every acre that is available. You could have the scenario where certain areas are being overgrazed while others are not being used at all. This is where determining your grazeable acreage will help.
Things like the brush density, rock coverage, accessibility and other factors will have an impact on how many acres that the herd will use. Determining these factors will give you a more accurate measure of what your stocking rate is. There are many ways that you can look at these but the best way will always be walking the property and looking at them from ground level.
Cedars are a very aggressive and destructive woody plant here in Texas. They are known to take over a pasture quickly. Along with taking forage space they are a very thirsty plant. A large infestation of cedars will completely suck dry a spring or other pasture water source.
Getting control of any cedars in your pasture is achievable. Much like with mesquite it is not something that will occur after just one application. Here are some things to consider if you are looking to take back your grazing pastures from cedars.
Well spring has arrived here in Texas, the temperature has gotten warmer and the grass has begun to turn green as well as grow. Along with this one typical problem has also started growing with them: WEEDS.
Weeds can reduce both the quantity and the quality of the forages that you have. They also reduce the nutrients available that your cows can eat. With this in mind now is the time to begin planning on controlling them.
A study done by Dr. Steve Livingston an Agronomist with the Texas AgriLife extension service for every pound of weeds/acre that is eliminated there is 2 to 7 pounds of grass that is produced. Here are some tips on how to get the most use out of your herbicide.
Pastures represent a very valuable resource for producers. In order to become an efficient cattle producer you must maximize your pasture’s forage output. But are you getting every bit out of it that you can?
As winter begins to wind down now is the time to consider getting your soil tested for the coming year. A soil analysis is a good management tool because it tells you what your soil may be lacking, saving you money on fertilizer. A soil test however is only as good as the samples that you collect to give to the testing lab. Here are some things to consider with soil sampling:
The temperatures are getting cooler is a good time to evaluate your pastures to get them ready for winter and plan ahead for spring. Taking the necessary steps now will ensure they survive the winter as well as get a good head start for spring. Here are 3 things you can put on a checklist:
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