Seeds in Season
Functional forage and pasture.
contributed article by Justin Fruechte, Forage & Cover Crop Specialist and Jared Knock, Business Development Millborn Seeds, Brookings, SD millbornseeds.com
FILLING THE VOID In the Midwest, many of us
Filling this grazing void can come from an annual forage system. Finding the planting window
in conjunction with a crop rotation does take a bit of planning. Ideally, to graze a forage in September, it should be planted in July. So, what system can we develop that will yield the most return per acre and kick out some bonus grazing acres through September
August 2020
with cool-season introduced pastures, face a similar dilemma. The vast majority of our grass growth for the entire growing season has culminated by the first of July. Resulting in thick and tall stands through June but thinning and declining in nutrient value through July and August. By September, everything in the pasture is exhausted, and cattle start reaching over any loose wire for tall grass
in the ditch as the regrowth of grass in cool-season pastures is washy and short. Couple this with fast-growing calves on cows, and it makes for a restless herd. Not only is performance on pause in this scenario, but pastures are typically overgrazed, ultimately setting them back for next spring.
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