Pasture Report – May 30, 2012

Grass growth continues to be slow but maturity continues to advance.  Orchardgrass is headed and should be grazed immediately to maintain quality and stimulate new leaf development.  Moving livestock to new paddocks when they have grazed half of the available forage will assist in managing this early growth and set pastures for continued summer growth.  High stock densities can assist with weed control, especially early in the season when weeds are lush, vegetative and more palatable than when they begin flowering.  Monitor cattle on pasture and lookout for any potential problems as the variable growing conditions this year may be a precursor to grass tetany. Providing cattle a mineral supplement with magnesium will help reduce this risk.  The following article provides more detail on grass tetany and other animal health issues www.bit.ly/OMAFRAHERD.