With summer grazing giving way for fall and winter management
over the next few weeks, it is time to take inventory of the
forage available for your livestock. Along with the forage, the
ability to access clean water is more important than usual this
year. Available forage includes the grasses and legumes
currently in your pasture fields, plus what will still grow this
fall; the hay fields that are available for grazing, the residue
from the corn and soybean fields that are going to be harvested.
Other options include fields that have not been utilized for
anything this year that are primarily grasses and legumes. With
some electric fence, many areas that we do not traditionally
consider pasture fields may be grazed for short periods of time
if there is water available. High and dry, or wet? Taking time
now to evaluate what forage might be available will allow you to
make the best decisions as to when you can graze the available
forages. Consider the typical soil moisture conditions and the
likelihood that fi