As we officially pass the start of summer, and head into July and August, one question you might be asking yourself is, “How do my forages look?.”
With the sporadic rain that we have been seeing so far this season, combined with the start of the true “heat” of summer, it probably has been difficult to maintain adequate grazing heights, or even keep grasses from seeding out. Weather patterns that we have experienced so far this year make it even more apparent for the need to establish or maintain a solid grazing management system sturdy enough to “weather” whatever weather we face.
At times, grazing operations can be limited by access to water, especially when trying to water all livestock from a single location, such as a pond or one tank. As we all know, it is important to be able to provide fresh water to livestock, especially during the hottest days of summer. For others, limitations can be due to low grass quality, or timing of available forages for when the livestock need it. Although it can be difficult, it is also important to maintain good grass health to provide the best quality forage for your animals.
The Natural Resource Conservation Service can help you establish or adapt your current grazing system to help sustain changing conditions throughout the year.
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We perform site visits to take an inventory of your operation, and discuss your short and long-term goals for your system.
Some producers need some assistance in determining and providing central locations for watering, while some are concerned with the quality of their forages.
Others may wish to expand their operations, but want to ensure additional numbers can still be supported by the acreage they have. These are valid concerns that NRCS can help you with!
After a site visit to discuss and identify your concerns and goals, NRCS will develop a conservation plan, along with maps and other reference documents, and review these items to discuss planned practices, how to implement them, and look into financial assistance we might be able to provide.
If you are interested in learning more, contact Shasta Woodard, NRCS district conservationist at the Brownstown Field Office at 812-358-2367 ext. 3. We look forward to working with you.