Late winter is the time to really get the ball rolling in the right direction for a successful upcoming grazing season. Producers need to act now to take the proper steps to set their operation up to maximize grazing this year. Below are four management areas to evaluate to start off on the right foot.

1. Soil Fertility - Early season soil testing is the first area to consider when preparing for the upcoming grazing season. By sampling ahead of the growing season, there is still enough time to properly apply fertilizer and lime based on results. Soil tests should be conducted every three to four years. Each pasture should be sampled to account for differences between areas. Also, areas within a pasture that would vary greatly in nutrient content should be sampled separately. This would include places like feeding areas, around livestock loafing and shaded areas. Core samples should be taken to a depth of four inches, with a total of 10-12 samples taken per pasture to provide a representative sample. Soil sample bags can be obtained from your local County Extension office and more details on the soil sampling process can be found in the UK publication Taking Soil Test Samples.

2. Buttercup Control - Control of buttercup in pastures and hay fields needs to be considered early in the year before producers see the plant’s identifying yellow flowers in the spring. When flowers begin to appear, plants are near maturity and start to produce new seed. Buttercups may emerge in the fall, but most of their vegetative growth occurs during the late winter and early spring months. The first step in controlling this weed, or any weed for that matter, is scouting fields and identifying the problem and its intensity. Once identified as a problem, buttercup control depends on the pasture. For grass pastures, chemical control with herbicides can be effective. Herbicide application should occur in early spring (late February-March); however, consideration must be given to any potential grazing, haying, or animal harvest withdraw times after application. Grass pastures interseeded with legumes, like clover or alfalfa, could be severely damaged or killed by herbicides. One approach to reduce buttercup populations is proper grazing management throughout the year. These weeds thrive in over-grazed areas that have poor stands of desirable forages. Maintaining proper ground cover by managed grazing will limit buttercup emergence. For more information on controlling buttercups and other weeds, refer to the UK publication Weed Management in Grass Pastures, Hayfields, and Other Farmstead Sites.

3. Frost Seeding - Mid-February to early March is the perfect time to frost seed in Kentucky. Frost seeding allows for the natural freeze-thaw cycles to work seeds into the soil. Several legumes, like red and white clover, can be successfully frost seeded. Adding legumes to pastures offer many benefits, including increased soil fertility, improved forage quality, reduced fescue toxicosis, and more summer growth. As mentioned, red and white clovers are the predominant choices in renovating pastures by using frost seeding. Other options that have shown success with frost seeding establishment include Birdsfoot trefoil and Annual lespedeza. Few grass species have shown successful establishment with frost seeding. Prior to frost seeding, the pasture should be grazed or cut closely and residue removed to allow for maximum seed to soil contact. After seeding, continue to reduce competition from existing forages and weeds for successful establishment. This may require mowing or grazing to allow new legume plants to grow and develop to at least 3 to 4 inches in height. For more information on frost seeding and renovating pastures, see the UK publication Renovating Hay and Pasture Fields.

4. Hi-Mag Mineral - As spring approaches, so does the concern of preventing grass tetany in animals grazing lush, fast-growing cool season pastures. Grass tetany is a metabolic disorder that is caused by low levels of magnesium in the animal’s blood. The disorder is most commonly seen in older cows that are lactating, but can be seen in all other classes of cattle. Symptoms include: nervousness, muscle spasms, poor coordination, staggering and death. Immediate veterinarian treatment of animals suspected to be suffering from grass tetany is required as earlier treatment increases the chances for saving animals. With most cases, prevention is the best medicine and providing animals with a high magnesium (high-mag) mineral supplement can often lessen the occurrence of grass tetany. A general rule to prevent grass tetany is to provide a high-mag mineral supplement at least 30 days prior to calving. High-mag minerals can be purchased from most feed stores or dealers and include higher inclusions of magnesium oxide compared to other complete mineral mixes. Feeding these high-mag minerals can be discontinued once daily temperatures are consistently 60˚F or above and grass is more mature. For more information on grass tetany, see the UK publication Forage Related Cattle Disorders: Hypomagnesemic Tetany or Grass Tetany.

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• Refine plans for pasture use for the upcoming grazing season; consider fencing, seeding, fertilization, herbicide applications, water and shade availability.
• Frost seeding of clovers should be performed between February 1 and March 1.
• Nitrogen fertilizer should be applied in late February to promote early grass growth.
• Before applying nitrogen: Soil test pastures and use results for application of fertilizer and lime.
• Renovate high traffic areas and bare areas to reduce erosion.
• Purchase seed, inoculant, and fertilizer for upcoming season.
• Check equipment and make repairs where needed.
• During wet periods, consider moving livestock to a barn or sacrifice lot to protect pastures.
• Continually move feeding area to reduce mud, erosion, compaction, and damage to forages.
• Do not graze pastures before cool-season forages reach approximately 6 inches to allow for adequate growth and maximum forage production for the remainder of the grazing season.
• Provide animals with easy access to complete mineral feeders at all times. Supply a mineral high in magnesium (a high “Mag” mineral) to prevent grass tetany in the early spring.

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• Soil test to determine fertilizer applications and apply fertilizer according to soil test results.
• Heat stress starts as early as May — plan for shade and cool water in every paddock.
• Reduce damage to forages and soils by moving feeding area and livestock often.
• Keep animals and equipment off extremely wet pastures — consider use of a sacrifice area or feeding area.
• Control competition from weeds and undesired forages where new seedlings are emerging.
• Inspect and prepare water systems to supply water to every paddock.
• Continue to provide cows access to a high magnesium, or high Mag, mineral to reduce risk of grass tetany, until daytime temperatures are consistently above 60.
• Continually observe herd for signs of bloat and grass tetany.
• Mow pastures for weeds and seedheads if needed.
• Inoculate legume seed prior to planting if needed.
• Start seeding warm-season forages after risk of frost to provide summer grazing.

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The hot summer weather is now in full swing. Certain precautions need to be taken to avoid problems in grazing systems during these hot months. At this time, cool-season species begin to decrease in production and animals begin suffering from heat stress. Keep these key management practices in mind to reduce economic loss and other negative effects during this time.

• Do not graze forages too closely.
• If grazing warm-season annuals, allow for adequate establishment before grazing.
• Clip pastures for weeds and seed-heads if needed.
• Provide animals with shade and cool, clean water to reduce heat stress and maintain animal gains.
• Limit access to ponds and streams to reduce negative environmental impacts and health effects on the cattle themselves.
• Reduce risk of pinkeye by knowing and managing risk factors.
• Provide animals with easy access to complete mineral feeders at all times.

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• Select fields for stockpiling fescue for fall and winter grazing. Apply nitrogen in early to mid-August and remember to mow or graze forage to three to four inches of height prior to nitrogen application.
• Plan ahead for any fall seedings. Plan details such as soil testing, no till or conventional till, fertilizing requirements and removing animals from the field to allow time for establishment.
• Follow up with any soil test results to decide on fertilizer needed for the fall. To take a soil test, contact your local county extension agent. Most fields should be sampled every three to four years and any high-value crops should be sampled annually.
• Closely monitor livestock and do NOT overgraze. Pasture plants accumulate energy reserves in the fall that help them overwinter and regrow in the spring.
• Feed hay to allow pastures to stockpile for winter grazing.
• Rest native warm-season grass fields until after frost for better winter survival.

Before a Frost

• Cool-season grasses, such as Tall Fescue and Orchardgrass, are starting to regrow with the cooler fall temperatures. These grasses should be utilized, but not over grazed in the ground (leave 3-4" residue height after grazing). Evaluate pastures for clover content and assess the risk for bloat as fall regrowth occurs (when pastures are >65% clover). Continue to supply shade and plenty of cool water to reduce heat stress in herds while temperatures are above 70°F during the middle of the day.
• Winter annuals can be planted as a cover crop used for grazing, hay, or silage as well. Some of the more popular winter annuals are ryegrass, wheat, kale, turnips, winter and spring oats, and triticale. These are usually seeded during late August through mid-September.

After a Non-Killing Frost (when temperatures are between 28°F and 32°F)

• Do not graze summer annuals, such as sorghum sudangrass or pastures with high populations of johnsongrass, for 2 weeks after a non-killing frost to reduce the threat of cyanide (prussic acid) poisoning. For more information on cyanide poisoning, refer to UK publication ID-220 Cyanide Poisoning in Ruminants.

After a Killing Frost (when temperatures are below 28°F)

• Do not graze or cut alfalfa after September 15 to allow adequate time for plants to replenish root reserves. Animals can be turned back into an alfalfa stand for grazing after a killing frost.
• Cool-season grasses will not grow much until the next spring after a killing frost, so during this time either use that forage by grazing it down short, or lose it.
• Do not graze summer annuals, such as sorghum-sudangrass or pastures with high populations of johnsongrass after a killing frost until the plant material is completely dry (toxins usually dissipate in 72 hours).
• Continue to restrict access on tall fescue pastures that are being stockpiled. Cattle can be turned into the stockpiled pasture after November 1 after other pastures have been grazed. For best results, use the strip grazing method where temporary fence is used to provide a small portion of the pasture at a time. Ideally each strip should supply the herd enough forage for 2-3 days before being moved. Stockpiled fescue usually yields 1-1.5 tons/ac. which will carry a cow for 50-75 days.

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• Evaluate grazing program for the past grazing season. Start planning for changes in forages or management that will be implemented in the spring or late winter.
• Apply phosphate, potash, and lime according to soil test recommendations.
• Frost seeding of clovers should be performed between February 1 and March 1.
• Nitrogen fertilizer can be applied in late February to promote early grass growth if clover percentage is low.
• Inventory standing forage and develop a plan to utilize remaining forage. Alfalfa can be grazed after November 1 or the first killing frost with no negative effects on spring growth as long as the ground is firm. Do not allow animals to spend more time in the field than necessary to graze forage.
• Inspect and prepare water systems for freezing temperatures. Be sure that livestock have access to water at all times.
• Reduce damage to pastures by removing animals or reducing traffic during extremely wet conditions.
• Consider using a sacrifice area, permanent feed pad, or dry lot. If a sacrifice area is not used, rotating feeding areas frequently will help reduce soil erosion, compaction, and distribute manure nutrients more evenly.
• Sample hay and obtain forage analysis prior to feeding or sale. Develop a plan for when and to which livestock hay will be fed.

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