🌾 Why Drought Disrupts Forage Availability
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Plant growth on native rangelands hinges largely on rainfall during the growing season.
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Insufficient moisture can cause forage supply to lag behind livestock needs, forcing ranchers to either reduce herd size, supplement feed, or risk overgrazing.
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Timing matters: drought in spring curbs cool-season grasses, while a dry mid‑May to mid‑July slashes warm‑season grass productivity .
Drought Impacts on Grass Health
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Drought reduces both above-ground biomass and root systems, slowing plant vigor and energy storage.
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Severe moisture deficits can push grasses into dormancy, cut reproductive growth, stunt root expansion, and limit bud/regeneration capacity.
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Even when rain returns, recovery—and thus forage yield—can trail well behind due to these disruptions .
Post-Drought: Resetting Grazing Strategy
1. Delay Turnout
Allow pastures to leaf out fully before grazing. This gives perennial forage time to rebuild energy reserves, boosting regrowth potential.
2. Scale Back Stocking Rates
Run fewer cattle initially. Matching herd size to limited forage helps prevent overuse and supports plant recovery .
3. Rotate Smartly
Utilize deferred rotation—resting pastures until they’ve matured—especially after significant drought stress .
4. Tap Weedy Forages
Early-season weeds like downy brome can supplement feed when primary pasture is slow to develop.
5. Embrace Annuals
Plant annual forage species to boost feed production in low-yield times. Options include:
Cool-season (spring) – oats, triticale, barley, annual ryegrass, field peas
Warm-season (late spring/summer) – sorghum-sudangrass, millet, corn, teff, crabgrass
Fall/winter cool-season – rye, winter wheat/triticale, brassicas
Critical Dates: Your Drought Alarm System
Track rainfall on key dates and act if precipitation lags behind expectations:
| Date | Purpose |
|---|---|
| April 1 | End of dormancy; sets cool-season growth |
| May 1 | Early-season growth for many grasses |
| June 15 | Initiation of warm-season grass growth |
Drought-triggered responses may include culling, hay feeding, or increasing forage through seedings or irrigation.
Final Thoughts: Planning Builds Resilience
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Prepare multiple grazing scenarios prior to the season (e.g. average, moderate drought, severe drought).
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Align herd size, stocking rate, and pasture rest periods with forage availability.
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Integrate both perennial and annual forage systems to maintain feed supply and productivity—even when nature misses a beat.
In short: Wisely delaying turnout, reducing stocking, rotating pastures, using opportunistic weeds, and adding annual species build resilience. Tying grazing strategy to rainfall milestones ensures proactive, not reactive, management.
