Wheat pastures are a treasure trove for cattle operations, particularly in regions like Texas, where the climate allows producers to extend grazing seasons and optimize land use. Wheat, with its high-quality forage and dual purpose as a grain crop, is a boon for profitability, supporting both grazing and grain production. This versatile crop is a smart strategy to maximize your pasture, keeping costs in check while providing cattle with essential nutrition.
Using wheat pastures, you can give your herd a more extended grazing period, often lasting from November through March, depending on the weather. This extended grazing season is particularly valuable when other forages are low in quantity and quality, making wheat a reliable and consistent feed source. In a region like the Southern Plains, where conditions can be unpredictable, having a dependable pasture like wheat is a real game-changer for producers looking to maximize productivity.
However, using wheat pastures is more complex than just letting the cows graze. Timing, supplementation, and stocking rates are critical to getting the most out of your wheat fields and ensuring your cattle stay healthy and productive. In the following sections, we’ll explore how to manage wheat pastures to maximize forage quality and profitability effectively.
When people hear ‘grass tetany,’ they usually think of spring – lush grasses, green pastures, and cows grazing happily. But tetany can sneak up on you even in winter when you feed your cows hay or silage. However, it can also happen when cattle are fed harvested forages like silage or hay.
Winter grazing management can 
Nutrition significantly affects your herd’s health during the cold winter months. Producers should plan ahead for their fall and winter forages to meet this need. There are many factors to consider when figuring out how much hay will be needed.
Nutrition is essential year-round. Everything hinges on the cow’s nutritional needs being met, from putting on weight for the market to reentering the reproduction cycle. However, meeting these demands can be complicated.
Drought can be devastating. Forages stop producing, making it difficult for ranchers to make food. Drought can make things seem bleak.
