As we come into early April, it is important to take time to think about rangeland and pasture conditions and make sure grazing plans are ready for the growing season in 2024. Much of the state has seen close to normal precipitation since October 1 (current water year). However, parts of the state, especially counties in the south and east of the state, that experienced drought last summer are still experiencing drier than normal conditions.
Pasture and native rangeland forage production fluctuates as the growing season progresses and is influenced by precipitation, temperature, range health, the previous year's precipitation and management, and soil nutrients. The amount and timing of spring and early summer precipitation are important factors in determining annual forage production. Using trigger dates can help producers adjust stocking rates if precipitation and the resulting forage production are expected to be below average. Trigger dates will vary depending on the dominant forage.
Available soil moisture is a major driver of plant growth. Cool- and warm-season grass species have rapid-growth windows when optimum air temperature, day length, and soil moisture are present for plants to fully express their growth potential. Once that window of opportunity has passed for a particular grass species, it is too late to get significant growth, even if it does rain. For example, cool-season grasses produce most of their growth in late spring and again in the fall, whereas warm-season grass growth occurs during the middle part of the growing season.
Precipitation during May, June, and July are strongly correlated with total forage production of warm-season species and total forage production in the Nebraska Sandhills. In the Nebraska Panhandle, many range sites are dominated by cool-season grass plants and forage production is influenced by April, May, and June precipitation. This same timeframe also applies to pastures dominated by smooth bromegrass; a cool-season grass common in Eastern Nebraska. However, smooth bromegrass is a sod-forming grass and can be very drought-tolerant. Many smooth bromegrass pastures will grow again in the late summer and early fall when day length shortens and cooler nights return.
Areas affected by drought during the previous growing season will likely experience lower forage production even if adequate moisture is available this year. It is important to give range and pasture plants the chance to recover from drought and rebuild energy reserves. To accomplish this, maintain a lower stocking rate post-drought.
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Categories: Nebraska, Energy, Weather