Maximizing Fall and Winter Grazing of Beef Cows and Stocker Cattle

Bulletin 872

Authors

Ohio State University Extension

Stephen Boyles
Beef Specialist

Edward Vollborn
Grazing Specialist, South District

Chris Penrose
Agriculture and Natural Resources, Athens County

Henry Bartholomew
Agriculture and Natural Resources, Hocking County

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

Robert L. Hendershot
Grassland Management Systems Conservationist

Contents

• Maximizing Fall and Winter Grazing
  • Developing a Forage Management Strategy
  • Soil Characteristics and Fertility for Grazing

• Principles of Stockpiling
  • Principles of Strip Grazing

• Potential Forages for Extending the Grazing Season
  • Fescue
    • Considerations for Stockpiling
    • Time of Previous Harvest
    • When to Begin Stockpiling
    • Quality Changes Over Time
    • Date of Nitrogen Application
    • Nitrogen Application Rate
    • Nitrogen and Competing Forage Species
    • Form of Nitrogen
    • Urea and Urea-Based Fertilizer
    • Pasture Legume Density
    • Stocking Rate
    • Forage Quality and Class of Livestock
    • Fescue Hay

    • Fescue Toxicity

    • Management Strategies for Endophyte Infected Fescue
      • Eradication
      • Strategic Grazing
      • Dilution

  • Orchardgrass
  • Kentucky Bluegrass
  • Other Grasses and Legumes
    • Smooth Bromegrass
    • Wildrye and Wheatgrasses
    • Perennial Legumes
    • Perennial Herb (Chicory)

  • Annual Pastures
    • Winter Cereal Rye
    • Grazing Corn
    • Brassicas

  • Warm-Season Grasses
    • Switchgrass

  • Grazing Corn Stalks

  • The Potential Use of Weeds in Grazing Programs

• Making and Maintaining Hay
  • Large Round Bale Storage
  • Small Round Bales
  • Balage
  • Hay Feeding Methods

• Substituting Grain for Hay

• Rental Payments
  • Leasing Pasture or Buying Standing Forage

• Winter Water Systems

• Cow Nutrition and Body Condition
  • Body Condition Scoring During the Summer
  • Body Condition Scoring Prior to Calving
  • Body Condition Scoring After Calving
  • Body Condition and Weaning Time

• Matching Calving Dates to Forage Resources

• Planning a Supplementation Program
  • Estimating Intake
  • Supplementation and Substitution
  • Grouping the Herd Based on Supplement Needs
  • How Cattle Use Energy
  • Energy Supplementation With Grain
  • Digestible Fibers as Energy Sources
  • Protein Supplementation
  • Methods of Feeding Supplements
  • Mineral Supplementation
  • Vitamins

• Literature Cited

Copyright © The Ohio State University 1998