Timing when you turn your cattle out to a new forage grazing pasture is important to optimize forage production.

If you rely on forages as a primary feed source for your cattle, you’ll want to ensure that your timing for turning out your cattle to the new pasture is correct to optimize forage production. According to a Beef Magazine article, “Grazing too early may reduce plant vigor, thin existing stands, lower total forage production, and increase disease, insect and weed infestations.” The article shared tips on timing your pasture turnout to get the most out of your forage. See the details below.

Optimize Forage Production with Timing

Timing for Florida forages will be different than those in the article, which are focused mainly for beef producers in the west and Midwest who are awaiting forage growth after spring, but Florida cattle producers can utilize the tips for when the dry season comes to an end. Tips to optimize forage production with timing include:

  • “Determine the predominate grass species in your pasture and rangeland.
  • Monitor grazing readiness of predominate grass species and delay grazing start date until these species reach grazing readiness…”
  • “Monitor grazing use throughout the grazing season.”

If you cannot wait to turnout cattle to a forage pasture, the article maintains that you can “minimize the impact to a small area of your pastures or in one of your cells. Then rest that cell or area…”

Your UF/IFAS Extension agent is a great resource for managing the timing of cattle turnout, as well as other factors like forage choice, grazing densities, forage nutrients, and more.

Griffin Fertilizer is committed to helping both growers and ranchers make sound agronomic and economic decisions in order to maximize the health of their grove and pasture. As a full-service custom dry & liquid fertilizer blender and crop protection product distributor, we will continue our mission to further advance Florida agriculture. For questions -or concerns about your farm or pasture, contact us and one of our team will be in touch.