In the past two years, pasture productivity has been reduced, and forage supplies have been greatly reduced due to dry weather. In 2022, conditions tended to be worse in western Kansas, and in 2023, eastern Kansas suffered drought.
Some regions of the state have had two years of very dry conditions. Even in normal years, filling the forage need outside of summer grazing can be a challenge. This challenge is even greater when summer pasture productivity is reduced, and forage supplies are low. Small grain forages planted in the fall or spring can provide a profitable forage option for producers. Cool season forages, especially in the vegetative stage, are high in crude protein and energy. Forages can be terminated in early spring, allowing time to plant a summer row crop if soil moisture is adequate.
Fall grazing management is critical to the success of small grain pastures. Begin grazing when the plants are well rooted and tillered, usually about 6 to 8 weeks after planting. If the foliage is too tall when the animals are introduced, or if the crop is over-grazed, the plants will be more susceptible to winter-kill. Make sure some green leaves remain below the grazing level. The minimum stubble height should be about 3 to 4 inches. Rye has a more upright growth pattern than most wheat varieties, so it should not be grazed as low. Winter barley is more susceptible to winter-kill than rye or wheat. However, newer varieties of barley are exhibiting increased winter hardiness.
Overall forage quality of hay, barley is the highest, followed by oats, wheat, triticale, and rye. Yet, the forage quality of all small grains in the vegetative stage is more than sufficient for any grazing animal. During the fall and early spring periods of peak production, the crude protein content of small grain pasture is normally about 20-25%. Growing cattle requires about 12 percent crude protein; thus, no protein supplements are necessary.
Small grain pastures can cause bloat. Daily supplementation with poloxalene (Bloat Guard) is highly effective in reducing bloat and is available in many different feeding forms. Feeding high-quality grass hay, silage, and/or an ionophore such as Rumensin or Bovatec can also protect against bloat. Rumensin and Bovatec have also been shown to increase stocker cattle weight gains on wheat pasture.
Alicia Boor is the agriculture and natural resources agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. Contact her by email at aboor@ksu.edu or call 620-793-1910.
