UACES Facebook During downturn, effective forage planning critical for cattle operations
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March 31, 2020

During downturn, effective forage planning critical for cattle operations

By Tracy Courage
U of A System Division of Agriculture

Fast facts

  • Forage management key in uncertain times
  • Jennings: remember 30-day rule

(170 words)
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LITTLE ROCK —Amid the uncertainty, producers can also weather the financial storms by effectively planning and managing their forages.

John Jennings, a professor and extension forage specialist for the Division of Agriculture, offered advice for spring forage plans, reminding producers to allow 30 days after implementing a practice to see the effect. Jennings was among the speakers during a webinar about COVID-19 impacts on the cattle industry.

Jennings offers these tips:

  • Start rotating pasture immediately to allow for forage accumulation
  • Close gates or divide large pastures with single electric polywire to allow forage to accumulate
  • Fertilize cool-season grasses and winter annuals as soon as possible
  • Repair and overseed hay feeding areas
  • Target fertilization for existing forages; Fertilize cool-season grasses like fescue and winter annuals such as ryegrass as soon as possible; Fertilize bermuda in early May
  • Plant oats or ryegrass for spring grazing or hay as soon as possible
  • Plant summer annuals such as pearl millet, sudangrass, corn, or crabgrass in May and June for summer grazing

To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter at @UAEX_edu.

 

About the Division of Agriculture

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system. 

The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses. 

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

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Media contact:
Tracy Courage
Director, Communications Services
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2126
tcourage@uada.edu  

 

 

 

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