By Scout Nelson
Managing pastures during the summer requires flexibility and awareness of how weather affects forage and livestock. With heat, rainfall, and pests varying each year, farmers must adapt to protect cattle and pasture productivity.
During dry periods, forage growth slows. Grazing rotations should be slowed too, allowing more time for plants to recover. Temporary fencing can divide pastures, stretching forage availability. Dormant plants can handle extra grazing without long-term damage.
In wetter years, rapid grass growth may lead to quality loss. Flash grazing—moving cattle on and off quickly—helps manage this by using tall forage before it matures too much. Adjust the pace of grazing as growth conditions change.
Water quality becomes vital in summer. Contaminants like salinity, mineral buildup, and especially blue-green algae can pose health risks. Algae blooms in still water can be toxic, killing cattle in a day.
Although copper sulfate helps treat blooms, repeated use can cause environmental harm, so prevention is often better.
Nitrates in water are another risk, especially when combined with nitrate-heavy feed. This combo can lead to toxicity. Testing both water and feed is critical to ensure cattle safety.
Stable flies are another summer challenge. These biting insects feed on cattle legs and cause major stress and weight loss. As few as four flies per leg can reduce gains. Look for signs like leg stomping, cattle bunching, and tail flicking.
Control methods include insecticide sprays (like permethrin or Co-Ral), reducing hay waste near pastures, and using larvicides like Neporex® to stop fly breeding. Clean water areas and windbreaks should be monitored closely.
Adjusting grazing to weather, managing water risks, and addressing pests like stable flies all support strong cattle performance and pasture health throughout the summer.
Photo Credit: freepik-upklyak
Categories: Nebraska, Livestock, Weather