By Mary Hightower
Best management practices are essential for being able to survive a drought, said Kenny Simon, extension forages instructor for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.
“I’ve often said best management practices, or BMP’s, are more important when we have limited forage supply than when it’s rainy and we have an abundance of grass,” he said.
This year’s prolonged drought has put a strain on the plants that make up pastures and hay meadows across Arkansas.
“Forages need time to rest and recover,” Simon said. “Consider confining the livestock to one field at a time and feeding hay.
Hay is not only a source of nutrients for the animals but it’s also a source of nutrients for the soil.
“Move the hay feeding spot each time you put out a new bale,” Simon said. “Then once you’ve fed hay across the field move to the next field. Start in the lower parts of your farm now while it’s dry then work you’ve way to higher ground.”
Simon said here’s still time to plant winter annuals such as ryegrass or small grains like wheat, cereal rye, oats, or triticale.
“For late winter and early spring grazing we need to plant by Oct. 31,” he said. “However, planting by mid-November can still provide some early grazing in spring. Planting ryegrass or oats around March 1 can provide for an early hay crop.”
Simon and other speakers will be discussing drought management and drought recovery strategies on Oct. 30 at the Arkansas Forage and Grassland Fall Conference at the Crossroads Cowboy Church in El Paso.
Source : uada.edu