In June, a pasture might look good from the road, but it could still be hiding problems.In West Texas and the Southern Plains, early summer often hides problems until they become costly. You might see green grass, cattle spread out, and calves growing. But underneath, forage quality could be dropping, water needs are rising, flies are increasing, and the best grass might already be grazed more than you realize.
That’s why taking time for a real June pasture walk matters. Don’t just check from your truck or the gate. Get out, walk through the pasture, look at the grass, watch the cattle, check the water, and ask if your place is ready for the next two or three months of heat.
Summer rarely ruins a pasture overnight. It’s usually the small things that get overlooked: a slow-refilling trough, a mineral feeder in the wrong place, bare ground near the shade, a pasture that needed rotating last week, calves looking a bit thin, or cows losing condition even if they still look ‘fine.’
A good June pasture walk lets you spot these issues early, while you still have options.
Each spring in West Texas, there’s a brief period when everything comes together. Pastures turn green, cattle move to fresh grass, and after a long winter, it finally feels like the grass is pulling its weight again. Cows graze eagerly, the forage looks plentiful, and it seems like you’re ready for a great grazing season. Many producers feel this is the time to relax and let the pasture do the work.
