Producers May Consider Alfalfa Grazing
US - In areas where the recent drought dried up any chances of getting a third alfalfa cutting, some beef producers may consider turning their livestock out to graze.
17 September 2007
2 minute read
| In drought, consider grazing alfalfa using flash grazing. |
Before opening the gate, it is important to consider the health of the alfalfa and livestock, says Vance Owens, forage research agronomist for South Dakota State University.
“The question comes up every time we have areas in drought - do producers go out and clip it off or do they graze to get some re-growth going,” Owens said. “Sometimes, if there is stress on the plant the new growth will be inhibited. If you do not have moisture after grazing or cutting then it won't come back naturally. My rule of thumb is, if there is not enough forage to harvest, I would just let it go.”
If producers decide to graze their alfalfa, Owens suggests flash grazing.
“Get them on and get them off in two to three days if possible. This will allow for a more uniform grazing and if there is enough forage to make it worth your while it's not going to hurt the plant if you graze quickly,” Owens said.
Owens adds that producers should not graze or harvest alfalfa four to six weeks prior to the first frost. If the plant does not come back naturally, Owens says grazing or harvesting could hurt next season's crop. He suggests waiting until after the first frost to harvest or graze.
