Stocking Rates, Genetic Choices, and Their Impacts on Our Forage in Pastures

By Dirk D. Dempsey

The amount of dry matter our forage stand can produce for us is a crucial component of building a successful plan for grazing cattle. Understanding which grazing systems are in place within the operation will allow for better optimization of the potential dry matter that cattle consume. Those systems are often called continuous, simple rotational, and intensive grazing. Each system has unique pros and cons, so it is crucial to consider this moving forward. Within these systems, it is a common goal to create a sustainable and long-term pasture that creates optimal forage for cattle but allows for plant regrowth and recovery time to be available once again. When stocking density is typically discussed, we commonly refer to it as under-stocking, where forage is wasted, and in the long term, the pasture will become unproductive with more weeds and woody plants taking form where good grazing plants once were. Overstocking can also reduce desirable plants and less than desirable average daily gain, an important production factor.

Genetic impacts through expected progeny difference (EPD) selection can impact our forage production and grazing management strategies, which depend on the breed lineage you choose. Let’s look at various breed metrics of expected progeny differences in EPDs.

Dry Matter Intake (DMI) reflects the average dry matter consumed per head in pounds. It should be recognized that a lower or lesser value is considered to be more valuable. However, it does not always represent an animal who would be more efficient in a pasture setting. Animals with a higher DMI EPD will likely consume more dry matter per day.

Another EPD to consider regarding feed efficiency would be residual average daily gain (RADG). It is important to note that RADG reflects post-weaning daily gain when comparing calves from different sires given the same amount of feed opportunity. Many breeds currently do not recognize or have an EPD for this trait.

Lastly, the chance for the cow-calf operator to generate additional pounds on pasture will consider the Weaning Weight (WW) and Yearling Weight (YW) for growth potential as those producers are selling pounds at the stockyards.

Supplementation throughout tumultuous weather, as we have faced throughout this current weather pattern, is vital to continued success no matter what grazing plan, stocking densities, or genetic selections we have already chosen. To keep the cattle healthy and in optimal condition during the dry weather, it is vital to keep the nutritional considerations available to the grazing animals.

Some necessary supplementations to consider include minerals such as phosphorus and vitamins A and D. Ideally, these are included in the trace mineralized salt and mineral offerings that are placed relatively close to watering sources but not right beside them or in the shade, as this could lead to overconsumption of those offerings. The lack of vitamins A and D can be seen in the future, and supplementing those vitamins can be made with additional management choices.

One of the most critical components to developing successful forage stands, optimal grazing environments, and critical genetic choices includes taking advisement from your county Ohio State University agriculture and natural resources extension educator. These educators are connected to the latest research-based information from on-farm research, demonstrations throughout the state and good information gleaned from other land-grant institutions.