Pastures grazing tips

May 10, 2022

Livestock producers that were scrambling to line up feed supplies going into the winter are now anxious to move cattle out to pasture.

Saskatchewan Range Management Extension Specialist Kelly Cochrane says before turning animals out, the grass should be at that three to four leaf stage, or six to eight inches tall.

"Having these leaves will allow for sufficient photosynthesis to occur. That will allow for energy to be stored into the plant reserves, which is important later on for regrowth and allows the plant to withstand stresses. If a plant does not have enough energy reserves, it takes longer for the plant to regrow. This can be detrimental to the health of a pasture under dry conditions."

Tame pastures are generally grazed first about two to three weeks earlier than native pastures.

He adds it's also important to monitor pasture health and production along the way to make sure that pastures are not being over grazed.

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Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.