For successful and profitable Livestock production, maintaining quality forage throughout the year is important. Each farm is going to be a little different in its operation, but matching a suite of forages that meet the nutritional needs of your livestock, and will maintain growth throughout the seasons, will be a key component to increased weight gains.
During the early spring and fall of the year, cool season grasses, legumes, and forbs provide the largest forage component on the farm. But when the summer sun beats down, and the shallow rooted cool season plants slow down or completely shut down when moisture availability becomes scarce near the soil’s surface, native warm season grasses and forbs will shine.
Native warm season grasses have very deep root systems that tap into deep soil moisture, and have a more efficient growing process that makes better use of available water than introduced cool season plants.
During those hot summer months, native warm season plants grow best providing livestock with the highest quality warm season forages while cool season forages rest and await fall regrowth.
Winter and summer annual forages can be planted at appropriate times to supplement your perennial forages.