Grasses and Grazing

One of the most common questions coming into a state extension office is “Which variety should I plant?” Over the years, that question has often been about alfalfa. This is true even in Missouri, where 90 percent of the hay is tall fescue clipped from pastures.

Native warm-season grasses (NWSG) are perennial, clump-forming grasses considered to be dual-purpose species.

In the May issue of Progressive Forage, an article titled “Summer conversion of toxic tall fescue” was published. The online version of that article prompted follow-up comments from readers. This article will address those comments.

Most perennial pasture forage produces dry matter during warm periods when there is ample rainfall. Warm-season plants cease replacement of utilized top-growth after the first killing frost.

The recipe for successful grazing of stockpiled forages starts months before you turn in the livestock.

At the American Forage and Grassland Council’s annual meeting in Roanoke, Virginia, this past January, I was asked to summarize and present the scientific literature on mob grazing. This article provides a distilled version of that research summary.