Grasses and Grazing

Grazing alfalfa-grass mixtures

Including legumes in a pasture mix has many benefits for cattle-grazing operations in the Midwest.

As a forage crop agronomist, clover has always been the holy grail. Clover in pastures improves soil condition, supplies nitrogen to companion grasses when recycled back to pasture as manure and urine, increases yield, increases intake of both protein and energy and can eliminate the need for supplemental fertilizer nitrogen (N) when high-yielding legumes like red clover are present in grass pastures.

Electric fencing has been around a long time, and its significance to grazing management is sometimes overlooked. Electric fence is a mental barrier that can contain even very difficult to control animals.

Any crop with the title “hemp” seems to be a hot topic in our industry, and sunn hemp proves to be no different. If you are looking to diversify your cover crop or grazing programs, sunn hemp may be an option for you.

Bale grazing can be more cost-effective than hauling hay to cattle, since cows are feeding themselves. The bonus is free fertilizer; it concentrates cattle temporarily where they are eating a row of bales, and you gradually move manure deposits across the field as you let them into the next row.

Dr. Murl Bailey is a professor of toxicology and emergency medicine in the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. He is an expert on toxins that adversely affect livestock, including those found in plants.