Maximizing Fall and Winter Grazing of Beef Cows and Stocker Cattle

Bulletin 872-98

Principles of Strip Grazing

Hay-making systems can experience dry matter losses of 27% to more than 50% (Bartholomew and Vollborn, 1997). Field stockpiling forages for fall and winter grazing also includes some wasted forage due to trampling and soiling losses. The percentage of waste of field stockpiled forage can be as high as 70% when cows are given large areas at a time, similar to giving them free access to your whole hay supply. Waste can be as low as 30% when cows are given a three-day supply of forage. A low-cost fertilization program with an inexpensive "front wire" is the primary out-of-pocket input cost. There is no need for a "back wire" since the plants are dormant and will not be making regrowth.

Strip Grazing With No Hay Bales in the Field

Research at the Missouri Forage Systems Research Center compared 14-, 7-, and three-day forage allocation strips on stockpiled tall fescue. Strip grazing on a three-day frequency yielded more than 40% more grazing days per acre than allocating a 14-day forage supply and produced the same level of animal gain. This can reduce the amount of mud compared to Feeding hay in the same location all winter.

Strip Grazing With Hay Bales in the Field

Controlled grazing is important if hay bales are left in the field (Van Keuren, 1970; Van Keuren 1971). If livestock have free access to a complete field of round bales, they will waste some of the bales. Strip-grazing gives about 60% more days of pasture compared to a situation in which cows have free access to the entire field of round bales and regrowth.

Large round bales can also be placed in a corner or along the edge of a paddock. Electric wire can be used to control access to only a few bales at a time. This may mean placing each bale 20 feet or more away from the neighboring bales. The potential of trampling the soil in wet, warm weather may result in the loss of production for that section for the upcoming year.

Strip Grazing and Heavy Snow Accumulations

If emergency feeding is necessary during a heavy snow period, plan to feed the cow on the grazing area and not in a barn. Cattle may learn to graze through heavy snow accumulations. Ungrazed paddocks should be available when it snows enough to cover the lower heights of plants. Snow will often freeze preventing cattle from utilizing ungrazed, shorter plants. Cattle can graze through 18-20 inches of fresh snow as long as a good supply of ungrazed forage is available under the snow (Decker, 1988). Once the frozen snow melts, animals can be moved back to the unused stockpiled pasture. Animals can continue to use the existing pasture if the temperature remains below freezing after a snow. Providing grain or range cubes may be cheaper than providing extra hay.

Table 1. Basic Keys for Stockpiling to Extend the Grazing Season

Spring stockpiling options to take advantage of extra forage

1. Rotate rapidly to control seedhead formation and allow forage accumulation for the summer period.
2. Graze some paddocks completely and make hay in the remaining area.
3. Carry calves over winter to utilize excess forage.
4. Accommodate a variable stocking rate by buying and then selling animals.

This fourth option may expose you to short-term price fluctuations, and there are certain animal health issues in introducing new animals to an existing herd.

Summer stockpiling options to provide forage for fall and winter

1. Remove livestock from selected areas and allow forage growth to occur.
2. Provide nitrogen applications for cool-season forages to increase accumulation and quality.
3. Plant crops, such as turnips, to provide additional forage accumulation.
4. Reduce stocking rate by selling yearlings or cull cows.

Table 2. Basic Principles for Strip Grazing

1. Give non-lactating, gestating beef cows a three- to Four-day allocation of grass. This is the best balance between your labor and forage utilization. Growing or lactating cattle should be fed (move wire forward) more often.
2. Remove animals that do not adjust to this system.
3. Animals with sore feet or animals that appear thin are culling candidates.
4. Utilize the most perishable forage species first.
   
   First - Legumes
   Second - Orchardgrass
   Last - Fescue
5. Select areas to be grazed based upon soil and weather conditions:
   
   Wet Areas - Graze during dry or frozen times
   Exposed Areas - Graze during warmer weather
   Protected Areas - Graze during severe weather
6. Move to another area if the grass gets muddy and remain there until the mud is washed off the stockpiled growth, then move back.