The U.S. Drought Monitor is an important tool for forage producers to monitor during the late summer. With favorable soil moisture conditions and few extremely high daily temperatures existing for most of the Southern Great Plains during early and mid-summer, most producers are experiencing less impact from dry or drought conditions as compared to a typical August.
This summer has been a very good year for warm-season perennial forage production, although pastures are expected to be slumping by now. The drought monitor can provide an indication of the recent forage-growing conditions in your region.
In the Southern Great Plains, 70 to 80 percent of the annual production will have occurred by the beginning of August. Therefore, this is a good month to assess your forage stocks in standing forage and hay, and make plans for allocation of your forage reserves.
August is a good time to collect forage samples from hay for testing to determine crude protein, total digestible nutrients and relative feed value, which will aid in feeding and marketing.
Native grass pastures
For rest and recovery of native grass pastures, plan to defer grazing from August until after frost. This is the season in which most of the desirable native grasses go reproductive and make seed.
Allowing these plants to remain ungrazed while completing their reproductive processes provides them the opportunity to fully restore their energy reserves, which makes for a healthier and more vigorous pasture next growing season.
Introduced perennial pastures
August is an ideal time to condition bermudagrass pastures for fall management practices such as interseeding with a cool-season annual or stockpiling. For stockpiling, graze or hay pastures to a desirable 3- to 4-inch residual height and apply fertilizer with favorable moisture conditions late in the month. For interseeding, keep pastures grazed short until ready to plant.
Other warm-season perennials can be fertilized with favorable rainfall if additional production is desired. Mow seedheads of fescue and fertilize late in the month with favorable weather. Apply soil amendments and prepare seedbeds for alfalfa establishment.
Watch for armyworms following timely rains, as they can appear suddenly on new regrowth. Grasshoppers can also be an issue in bermudagrass, especially if abnormally dry. Be aware that drought-stressed johnsongrass and other sorghum and sudangrasses can accumulate prussic acid and nitrates, which can be deadly to livestock.
Cool-season annuals
Prepare for the establishment of cool-season annual pasture (wheat, oats, rye, triticale, ryegrass, etc.). Apply soil amendments such as lime, phosphorus and potassium if needed. Source seed and prepare equipment for early fall plantings.
