Higher grain prices benefit crop producers and challenge livestock feeders. But they also can present opportunity for savvy livestock grazers, including cow-calf and stocker operators and farmer-feeders.
“Rising corn and soybean prices, along with drought-tightened hay inventories and market uncertainty give cattle producers ample incentive to focus on maximizing pasture production this grazing season,” says Jeff Clark, Market Development Specialist at Corteva Agriscience. “Growing more, high-quality grazed forages is an excellent cost-containment strategy. And this year, it could pay off on the income side of the ledger, too.
With market factors signaling continued support for grain prices, many ag economists point to profitable opportunities in the pasture this grazing season. For cattle feeders, buying heavier calves will shorten the finishing phase so they feed less high-priced grain. That likely means increased demand for heavier calves and presents an opportunity for grazers.
“Ensuring your grazing acres are at peak production is a good place to start,” Clark says. “Growing more grass and managing it well can help you ramp up per-acre beef production. Whether that’s by improved daily gains or — especially during 2021 — extending the grazing season, it’s hard to go wrong with low-cost gains on pasture.”
Season-long success in the pasture starts early and continues through the summer. It’s not a turn-’em-out-and-forget-it enterprise, Clark says. He offers several tips that can help maximize pasture productivity:
“Annual and biennial broadleaf weeds can green up even before pasture grasses. Once growing, weeds steal the moisture, nutrients and sunlight forages need,” Clark explains. “Catching weeds early gives pasture grasses a competitive advantage.”
Early in the season means when weeds are small and growing. At that size, they’re easy to cover and control, and they haven’t robbed much from the grass yet.
Using a residual herbicide, such as DuraCor® herbicide, early in the season stops weeds that are up and growing while providing control of those that germinate later. This extended control will help stop weeds throughout the season, preserving moisture and allowing grasses to get a head start on the weeds.
“I encourage producers to scout early and often to prepare for what’s to come,” Clark says. “Eliminating weeds lets the grass get up and grow. From there, the cow can be a very good management tool. You can work with her to graze properly so the grasses shade and outcompete the weeds.”
So many factors play into maximizing pasture productivity, especially in areas already challenged by drought. It’s a delicate balance to be sure. For help with a plan to grow more grass, visit RangeAndPasture.com. To learn more about the profit-per-acre approach to pasture management, visit RangeAndPasture.com/ROI.
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™ ® Trademarks of Corteva Agriscience and its affiliated companies. Under normal field conditions, DuraCor® is nonvolatile. DuraCor has no grazing or haying restrictions for any class of livestock, including lactating dairy cows, horses (including lactating mares) and meat animals prior to slaughter. Label precautions apply to forage treated with DuraCor and to manure and urine from animals that have consumed treated forage. DuraCor is not registered for sale or use in all states. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your state. Always read and follow label directions.
Learn about seasonal opportunities, rancher success stories, and management strategies for pastures and rangeland.
