As our seasons transition from summer to fall and on into winter our operations tend to take a slower pace. Our warm season forages are heading into dormancy to rest until next spring, and our cool season forages are slowly getting off the ground. This is often a good time to reflect on the previous season and prepare for what’s to comes… however any of us working with forage-livestock systems in the South know that cows and grass are a 365-day a year job!
There are many factors that influence successful livestock-forage production systems and there are constant changes that we can make in our operations to help with forage improvement. Below are four key steps that, if we as producers keep as the focus of our livestock-forage programs, will get us and keep us on the right path toward improved forage systems.
Step 1: TEST!
As any member of Extension will tell you the first step to assessing a problem is looking at test results. This is very true when it comes to assessing pasture level problems. Conducting and maintaining regular soil tests will help you in assessing and determining your soil nutrient needs, identifying and correcting deficiencies, and establishing a soil baseline. Maintaining soil records over many years can help you quickly identify and hopefully rectify soil level problems before they become major issues in your operation. Making good “guesses” at fertility needs and applying the same nutrient package over extended periods of time can have detrimental effects on the stand life of your forage as your soil nutrients get out of balance. Regular testing of our soils, as well as our forage, can result in improved knowledge of our forage needs, quality, and deficiencies. As I’m known for saying “Unless you test, it’s just a Guess!”
Step 2: Plan
A good forage program doesn’t happen instantly or by accident, it takes time, management, successes, failures, much effort, and lots of planning. A good place to start is by determining your overall goal for your livestock-forage operation. Then take the time to study, ask questions, and research the steps to achieve your goal before you make drastic changes in your operation. Often I am asked “where do I start?” The question shouldn’t be where to start – you start with what you have… the better question is how do I reach my overall goal? First and foremost remember there are no instance fixes, snake oils, or miracles. Second we need to remember that positive changes in our management may be slower than we like for it to be realized visually. We must remember, good or bad, it didn’t take a day to get where it is now, and it will take longer than a day to change it. Even still, small changes, even one change in your operation or tweak in your plan can have big positive impacts towards long-term forage success. As it says in Le Petit Prince “A goal without a plan is just a wish”
Step 3: Manage
Management is key in optimizing forage production. This means putting in optimum effort and management by scouting for pests, weeds, diseases, planning for anticipated weather, and optimum quality yields. You want to give your forage the best advantage at being competitive to provide you with quality and persistent stands. Remember that high quality does not mean high tonnage! Harvesting your forage, either through grazing or mechanically, must occur at the proper time. The focus should not only be on standing yield, but rather on attaining target height and rest intervals to achieve optimum quality outputs from our livestock-forage programs. Ultimately, forage quality can make the difference between profit and loss, reducing the need for expensive supplementation and helping meet livestock nutritional requirements more efficiently. Good management gives your forage the competitive edge needed for productive, persistent stands.
Step 4: Utilize
The most successful livestock-forage producers know how to make the most of their forage resources. They utilize a variety of grazing methods within a well-planned system and focus on using forage optimally. This approach extends the grazing season and reduces reliance on costly stored feed. Successful producers also make the most of their experiences—especially the mistakes. Some of the best lessons come from trial and error. They apply what they’ve learned, seek advice from others, and don’t let one setback derail their progress. Just as importantly, they tap into the knowledge of industry experts and fellow farmers. Asking a “dumb” question is far better than making an avoidable mistake. Smart forage utilization is as much about learning and adapting as it is about growing grass.
While following these four steps won’t instantly make you a master livestock-forage producer, they will provide a solid-foundation to put you on the path toward a more productive and successful operation!
~ Jennifer J. Tucker, Ph.D, Associate Professor, Beef Nutrition and Forage Management. Department of Animal and Dairy Science, University of Georgia and the Alliance for Grassland Renewal
The Alliance for Grassland Renewal is a national organization focused on enhancing the appropriate adoption of novel endophyte tall fescue technology through education, incentives, self-regulation and promotion. For more resources or to learn more about the Alliance for Grassland Renewal, go to www.grasslandrenewal.org
The Alliance for Grassland Renewal 