MANAGING YOUR DROUGHT STRESSED PASTURES THIS FALL

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MANAGING YOUR DROUGHT STRESSED PASTURES THIS FALL

• L. Tony Nye
• Extension Educator
• Clinton County

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DROUGHT STRESSED PASTURES

• It has been a tough summer for graziers in many
  areas of Ohio.
• Dry weather
• High temperatures have limited forage growth.
• Pastures grazed to close. 
• With the rains in August pastures started to
  recover ----- BUT-----
• High temperatures that followed the rains kept
  growth slower than many have needed.

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DROUGHT STRESSED PASTURES

• As we head into cooler temperatures and
  traditionally more forage growth we need to keep
  protecting our forage resources.  
• Even though we need the feed we also need to
  keep from overgrazing.
• Grasses stressed by months of drought and in some
  cases overgrazing will need care to fully recover.

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DROUGHT STRESSED PASTURES

• WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO????

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DROUGHT STRESSED PASTURES

• The first thing is keep from overgrazing. 
• Overgrazing can be avoided by paying attention to
  forage residual, grazing time and rest. 
• Forage residual
• leave at least 1200-1500 lbs. of DM per acre or
  2-3" when you pull animals from a field.  
• Grazing time
• remove the animals before the forage starts to
  regrow. Rest, let the pasture recover to above
  2400 lbs. of DM acre or 6-8 before grazing
  turning the animals into a field.

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DROUGHT STRESSED PASTURES

• Second, we can help the recovery by fertilizing
  our pastures.
• Fall is an excellent time to apply fertilizer.
• Fall is the time when most of our forage plants
  are growing roots, developing tillers and storing
  energy for winter.
• Proper soil pH and adequate soil nutrients will
  enhance forage competitiveness.
• Take a soil tests and follow the recommendations.

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DROUGHT STRESSED PASTURES

• FERTILITY FOR DROUGHT STRESSED PASTURES
• Nitrogen can be applied in fall. Late fall
  applications of nitrogen, from October through
  November, will increase grass tillering, root
  growth, and energy storage.
• This will help with spring green-up and improve
  competition against weeds. Apply after grass
  growth has slowed, but before the plant has gone
  dormant. Use a low rate of 30 to 40 lbs. of N per
  acre.
• Urea sources counteract lime
• Maintenance P K could also be applied (soil
  test)