CROPS
Corn
Soybeans
Wheat
Canola
Field Guide
Pulse
Cotton
Hay & Forage
Horticulture
Yield Data Centre
LIVESTOCK
Swine
Beef
Dairy
Poultry
Equine
EQUIPMENT
Used Farm Equipment
Farm Equipment Dealers
Machinery News
Technology
Cool Tools
OTHER RESOURCES
Ag Industry News
Agriculture Apps
Agriculture Associations and Organizations
Business & Finance
COVID-19 Resources
Farm Auctions
Farm Energy
Farm Real Estate
Farm Safety
Farm Supplies
Farm Videos
Government & Policy
Mental Health
Precision Ag Conferences
Reflections on Farm & Food History
Rural Lifestyle
Weather
Farms.com Group Businesses
Media & Publishing
Advancing Women in Agriculture ConferenceAg Buyer's GuideAgConnectionAg & CountryAgriville.comAgSearch.com
Alberta Seed GuideBetter FarmingBetter PorkFarms.com Risk ManagementFarms.com Precision Agriculture Digital Digest
Seed ManitobaSeed WorldService Truck MagazineSmall Farm CanadaSpud Smart
Software & Services
Farms.com Professional ServicesPigCHAMP
Talent Solutions
AgCareers.comCareersInFoodCareersInGroceryDe Lacy ExecutiveFoodGradsGrasslands Recruitment Specialists
Farms.com Home  › News

When should we stop grazing our pasture?

When should we stop grazing our pasture?
Q:We have had a horse grazing on our approx. 6 acre field which is normally cut for mixed grass hay. The horse has been on the field since we had it cut and baled into hay this past summer. In general, when is the best time to remove the horse so that the pasture can recover and be cut for hay again this next summer?
 
A:
  1. It is best to remove animals from the field for a few reasons. 
  2. When the field is so wet that the animals start compacting the soil and plugging holes in the sod.
  3. When the animals start grazing the plants too short. Most grasses should not be grazed below the 2 to 3 inch height. That is because they store energy for regrowth in that stubble height and they need some leaf area to catch the sunlight for more energy to grow. 
  4. Usually, a good 6-8 weeks before haying is a good rule of thumb for grazed pastures to regrow for haying. But, this depends on the soil conditions (pH and fertility level) and the growing conditions (warm, moist spring). We never know what weather we will have so you could stop grazing a good 8 - 10 weeks before you plan to hay. 
 
Source : oregonstate.edu

Trending Video

Why Rotational Grazing Is Important For The Farm - Manitoulin Part 3

Video: Why Rotational Grazing Is Important For The Farm - Manitoulin Part 3

Presented by Birgit Martin of Pure Island Beef, Anita O'Brien, Grazing Mentor, and Christine O'Reilly, Forage & Grazing Specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Watch each video from this event to learn about grazing tips, water systems, setting up fencing, working with net fencing, electric fencing tips, grass growth and managing grazing.

Birgit Martin provides an overview of her operation, Pure Island Beef, and why rotational grazing is so important for the farm.

The Manitoulin Island Pasture Walk in 2023 was delivered as part of the Farm Resilience Mentorship (FaRM) Program's Advanced Grazing Systems.

 
Trump announces signing date for deal with China
New OMAFRA regulations take effect Jan. 1

Business News by Better Farming

General News by Better Farming

Forums by Agriville.com

A real lobby effort results ›
Winter wheat harvest Highwood Montana ›
U.S. Midwest Corn Pollination is Widespread in 13+ U.S. States! ›
Rain lottery ›
Friday crop.report on a Thursday middle of July on ›
Current N pricing ›

Machinery News by Better Farming

Brandt Peterbilt Delivers First Made-in-Canada Class 8 Trucks.
Brandt Peterbilt Delivers First Made-in-Canada Cl... ›

Crop News by Better Farming

Pulse Market Insight #289
Pulse Market Insight #289 ›

Livestock News by Better Farming

U of C exploring tech tools to improve cattle health
U of C exploring tech tools to improve ca... ›

Sponsored Links: 

Highest Yielding Soybeans,  PigCHAMP Grow-Finish,  Precision Agriculture,  Swine Reproduction Software
Subscribe to our Newsletters Download Farms.com Apps Advertise with us
This website uses tracking tools, including cookies. We use these technologies for a variety of reasons, including to recognize new and past website users, to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests.
You agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Access by clicking I agree.