Released: February 21, 2003

Drought Raising Importance of Grazing Land Management

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Drought that has plagued the central Plains the past three years makes it more important than ever to manage grazing lands properly, according to a Kansas State University grazing land management specialist.

"Managing grazing land for 2003 – particularly in much of central and western Kansas – must include reduced stocking rates, both to protect future forage production and to maintain animal performance," said Paul Ohlenbusch, state agronomy leader with K-State Research and Extension. "The amount of forage available will be much less than normal.

"Grazing at normal or even reduced rates in 2003 may result in over-grazing and curb the forage of the most desirable grass species. That cuts forage production and animal performance even further."

This year is one of those particularly challenging years in the central Plains, he said. Last October’s rainfall was welcome, but forage prospects are still tenuous, at best.

"Dry, windy conditions this winter have probably removed much of the moisture from the soil that came from October precipitation. Stockmen are concerned with dry conditions and grass prospects for the coming grazing season," Ohlenbusch said.

Both warm- and cool-season grasses store nutrients for their initial growth during late winter and early spring.

"Since the plants were grazed short in many areas last season, they didn’t store the needed nutrients and will be slower to start growth this spring. The result will be poor forage production in 2003," Ohlenbusch said.

The critical need in 2003 is to have adequate leaf growth on forage grasses by this fall, the agronomist said. Summer grazing of cool-season pastures during dry conditions can be a particular threat to future production.

He recommends an average grazing height of 4 inches in eastern Kansas this year because the grasses there – predominately big bluestem and Indiangrass – are taller grasses. In central areas where pastures are largely composed of little bluestem and switchgrass, grazing can grade down to 3 inches. The shorter western Kansas grasses – sideoats, grama and blue grama – can be grazed to 2 inches.

"Grazing the grass shorter than the recommended height removes too much leaf area from the plants. It’s important to leave enough leaf area to produce the foodstuffs needed to promote plant growth and ensure a healthy root system," he said.

If grazed too short, plants also will use their energy reserves to try to replace leaves.

Precipitation has not filled ponds, so stock water supplies are still a concern, too.

"Producers should carefully consider the cost of hauling water against feeding animals in dry lots," said Ohlenbusch. "Livestock producers should take into account any costs of the water – including pumping and/or purchasing – and also should consider transportation costs, labor [time required to haul water] and fixed costs."

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K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan.

Story by:
Mary Lou Peter, Communications Specialist
mlpeter@oznet.ksu.edu
K-State Research& Extension News