Start Date
1-26-2006 2:30 PM
Description
Many warm season perennial grasses were once an important part of the plant community in much of the Midwest. Conversion to cropping systems, overgrazing, lack of regular fire and increased competition from cool-season grasses and legumes have caused many of these grasses to disappear from much of the region. However, warm season grasses can compliment cool-season pastures if managed properly. Midwest stockmen are rediscovering the usefulness of warm season grasses in their overall forage program. Adding these grasses to forage systems has resulted in increased gains and improved livestock performance during the summer months when cool-season grasses are at their low point of growth and quality. Warm season grasses are highly palatable to livestock prior to heading and can produce beef gains of over 2 pounds per day during the summer season. Graziers should take advantage of the inherent differences in the seasonal growth cycles of various forages to supply desirable forage to livestock throughout the grazing season.
Included in
Perennial Warm Season Grasses in Grazing Programs
Many warm season perennial grasses were once an important part of the plant community in much of the Midwest. Conversion to cropping systems, overgrazing, lack of regular fire and increased competition from cool-season grasses and legumes have caused many of these grasses to disappear from much of the region. However, warm season grasses can compliment cool-season pastures if managed properly. Midwest stockmen are rediscovering the usefulness of warm season grasses in their overall forage program. Adding these grasses to forage systems has resulted in increased gains and improved livestock performance during the summer months when cool-season grasses are at their low point of growth and quality. Warm season grasses are highly palatable to livestock prior to heading and can produce beef gains of over 2 pounds per day during the summer season. Graziers should take advantage of the inherent differences in the seasonal growth cycles of various forages to supply desirable forage to livestock throughout the grazing season.