Grazing Bites

by Victor Shelton,

Retired NRCS Agronomist/Grazing Specialist 

 In many parts of the Midwest, the spring of 2025 has brought above-normal rainfall, leading to saturated fields, delayed planting and rapid pasture growth. Early June is a critical time for managing pastures and forage systems as it sets the stage for the remainder of the growing season.

Precipitation often balances out over time, but timing is unpredictable. Weather and climate can be so unpredictable that even after a wet season or year, it’s hard to predict if a drought will follow. Each year introduces new variables, keeping you on your toes. That’s why having a Plan B (or even C) is essential. Being prepared for different scenarios – whether wet or dry – helps you stay ahead and ensures you’re not caught off guard.

One key principle for managing forage is using early June as a gauge for stocking rates. This period usually marks the peak of forage production and represents roughly two-thirds of the total biomass for the year. If you’re running out of forage by early June, it’s a sign that your stocking rate is too high.

At this point, it’s important to assess available forage. If you’re low on forage or notice overgrazed pastures by early June, it’s time to adjust your stocking rate. Prolonged grazing by ruminant animals negatively impacts pasture production, especially if the same plants are grazed multiple times without recovery.

Overgrazing depletes plant energy reserves, damages roots and reduces regrowth, leading to lower forage yields. This can lead to soil compaction, increased weed encroachment and degraded soil health. In addition, the quality of the forage also declines, as plants don’t have time to reach their optimal nutritional stage. Rotational grazing, where animals are moved between different paddocks to allow plants time to recover, is a key strategy to mitigate these issues and maintain pasture productivity and plant health.

Conversely, if pasture growth has been vigorous and you have more forage than needed, consider harvesting excess forage for hay or setting aside areas for future grazing during drier months. Just be cautious about mowing too much for hay, as it could backfire if the weather turns dry.

Winter feed costs are a significant expense in a cow/calf operation, and reducing hay consumption should be a goal each year. Hay production isn’t free – it involves equipment, fuel, labor and nutrient replacement. I’ve seen producers cut every acre of pasture for hay while still feeding it, only to find themselves feeding hay earlier than expected when drought conditions set in and pastures ran out.

Maximizing pasture productivity starts with proper fertility management. To make fertility management easier, fields that are difficult to fertilize due to topography or location should ideally be left for grazing rather than hay production. Focus on fields that can’t be grazed for hay production instead. Building on soil fertility, organic matter and health will pay dividends in yield over the long term.

It’s often more effective to manage forage through good grazing practices. Frequent moves to new allotments – ideally every day – allow for extended rest periods and optimal recovery of pastures. This practice encourages tillering, which boosts plant density and productivity, and it also ensures that the forage has enough time to regrow before being grazed again. As long as the proper residual grazing height is maintained, this rotational system can significantly increase overall seasonal production. For most cool-season forages, aim for three to four inches – that’s the shortest forages left after grazing, not the tallest. The average forage height in appearance or measurement is actually closer to six to eight inches.

If forage is outpacing grazing in a designated pasture, try grazing first and then clipping if necessary, but clipping may not always be needed. When you do clip, try to leave enough leaf to avoid slowing regrowth. Remove seed heads, weed tops and open the canopy for light. Clipping too low can inhibit regrowth and reduce overall forage yield. A higher mowing height promotes better regrowth, more tillering and improves pasture health by maintaining a stronger root system, which increases drought tolerance. When grazing pastures, clipping height, if necessary, should be as high as possible without removing leaf area needed for photosynthesis. Clipping only for aesthetics often negatively impacts production.

Mechanical harvesting mowing height impacts forage yield significantly. When grass is mowed too short, it can stress plants, slowing recovery and even causing root dieback. Conversely, mowing at a higher height allows plants to store more energy, resulting in quicker recovery and increased forage yield. For hay production, a mowing height of three to four inches is recommended but it is more difficult to do with some equipment.

While grazing management is often the best option, intensive rotational grazing can be effective, particularly during periods of rapid growth. By rotating livestock frequently, you prevent overgrazing, encourage regrowth and maintain high-quality forage. Setting up a rotational grazing system with smaller paddocks and frequent livestock movement ensures pastures have enough recovery time.

As pastures approach seed production, it’s time to either shorten grazing periods and use smaller allotments to graze more evenly or clip plants to encourage new growth. This helps initiate fresh tillering and keeps the pasture productive. Clipping seed heads or reducing grazing periods redirects energy into regrowth, maintaining nutritional quality for the remainder of the season.

Despite lush pastures now, it’s crucial to plan for a dry summer – if it happens or not. If drought conditions set in, pasture growth will slow. Additionally, planting fast-growing annual forages like Sudangrass, sorghum-sudangrass, millet or a mix with legumes and brassicas can provide grazing or hay during the summer when pastures struggle. The time to think about that is now. Annual forages ensure fresh feed when pasture growth slows due to drought. This can be a very good option after wheat on cropland instead of double-crop soybeans.

As we move into summer, maintaining good soil cover is critical for moisture preservation. Healthy pasture cover reduces evaporation and helps retain soil moisture. A thick, well-managed cover is your best defense against drought.  Managing grazing to leave enough plant material ensures that pastures can regenerate if dry conditions set in. It’s not about maximizing a single grazing event but optimizing the entire grazing season. Observe, plan and keep on grazing.

Reminders & Opportunities 

Pasture Ecology Workshop – June 18, Southern Indiana Purdue Agriculture Center, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET. Registration is $40. Register online under the events tab www.indianabeef.org or www.indianaforage.org. Pastures are not just a one-dimensional system used to support grazing livestock. Healthy pastures are full of life both above and below the soil surface. In this day-long pasture ecology class, we will look at the entire pasture system and all the life it supports above and below the growing forages. Direct questions to towerj@purdue.edu or 812-678-4427.

Please send comments or questions to grazingbites@gmail.com.