Grasses and Grazing

Whether it’s the use of unnecessary commas, neglecting to floss or making only the minimum payments on a credit card, people often make the same mistakes.

Runners may forget their form; homebuyers sometimes skip the home inspection; and graziers – well, they’re not exactly exempt from slipups either.

Producers throughout the Southeast feed hay and other stored feedstuffs during the fall, winter and early spring due to limited forage availability and lower forage quality.

This fall and winter has been very wet across most of the eastern U.S. In some areas, fields have been wet since August. In years like this, normal plans for dealing with mud may not be enough.

If the fuel tank gets low, you better fill ’er up

“This looks more like a golf course putting green,” I thought to myself as I pulled up to the pasture in question.

The amount of forage produced in pastures changes each year, mostly due to rainfall and temperature fluctuations. Hot and dry years tend to have less forage production than wet and temperate years.

There’s a bright spot on the horizon – the future of forages will be in good hands. Youth from 10 states entered the American Forage and Grassland Council (AFGC) 2019 youth essay contest, with prizes awarded at the annual convention in January in St. Louis, Missouri. Winners in the three categories are: