Extension Responds: Drought Managing Drought Stressed Pastures
Dennis Cosgrove, UW-Extension Forage Specialist, 715-425-3345,
email@example.com Severe drought has affected pasture growth
throughout much of Wisconsin and Minnesota. While little can be
done to increase forage pasture growth in the short run, careful
management now can minimize long term stand damage and help
maintain forage yields when rains do come. This article will
discuss ways in which the impact of drought on pastures can be
minimized. When drought comes and pasture forage is in short
supply it is tempting to continue to graze until all the forage
is gone. While this will provide a few more grazing days in the
short term, it will delay regrowth and decrease forage yields
when rains do come. Leaving green, living leaf area will provide
for photosynthesis and more rapid regrowth than if the plants
are completely defoliated. Where possible leave an appropriate
stubble height to allow for carbohydrate storage and regrowth.
For short grasses li