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.
