You Can’t Manage What You Don’t Measure . . . Including Pasture!

By Victor Shelton

In many parts of the Midwest, the spring of 2025 has brought above-normal rainfall, leading to saturated fields, delayed planting and rapid pasture growth. Early June is a critical time for managing pastures and forage systems as it sets the stage for the remainder of the growing season.

Precipitation often balances out over time, but timing is unpredictable.  Weather and climate can be so unpredictable that even after a wet season or year, it’s hard to predict if a drought will follow. Each year introduces new variables, keeping you on your toes. That’s why having a Plan B (or even C) is essential.  Being prepared for different scenarios whether wet or dry helps you stay ahead and ensures you’re not caught off guard.

One key principle for managing forage is using early June as a gauge for stocking rates. This period usually marks the peak of forage production and represents roughly two-thirds of the total biomass for the year. If you’re running out of forage by early June, it’s a sign that your stocking rate is too high.

At this point, it’s important to assess available forage.  If you’re low on forage or notice overgrazed pastures by early June, it’s time to adjust your stocking rate. Prolonged grazing by ruminant animals negatively impacts pasture production, especially if the same plants are grazed multiple times without recovery. Overgrazing depletes plant energy reserves, damages roots and reduces regrowth, leading to lower forage yields. This can lead to soil compaction, increased weed encroachment and degraded soil health. In addition, the quality of the forage also declines, as plants don’t have time to reach their optimal nutritional stage. Rotational grazing, where animals are moved between different paddocks to allow plants time to recover, is a key strategy to mitigate these issues and maintain pasture productivity and plant health.

Conversely, if pasture growth has been vigorous and you have more forage than needed, consider harvesting excess forage for hay or setting aside areas for future grazing during drier months. Just be cautious about mowing too much for hay, as it could backfire if the weather turns dry.

Winter feed costs are a significant expense in a cow/calf operation, and reducing hay consumption should be a goal each year. Hay production isn’t free it involves equipment, fuel, labor and nutrient replacement. I’ve seen producers cut every acre of pasture for hay while still feeding it, only to find themselves feeding hay earlier than expected when drought conditions set in and pastures ran out.