N RANCHING
atural Resources
What Plant Is Important in August? Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii)
B
IG BLUESTEM IS ONE OF THE MOST PRODUCTIVE AND PALAT- able plants on the prairie. It is one of the “Big Five” along with indiangrass, switchgrass, east-
ern gamagrass and little bluestem. • It is found from Canada to Mexico on well-managed native rangelands.
• It’s known by some as “turkey foot” because the seed head in the fall resembles the foot of a turkey waving tall above all other grasses.
• It is found on many ecological sites and grows in colonies that can often exceed several acres.
• It’s easily identifi ed by the fuzzy or hairy base of the stems and leaves. Big bluestem can be hard to manage because it is
extremely desirable to grazing livestock. It’s generally the fi rst grass grazed in a pasture. It has been grazed out on many ranches that have not properly managed the range.
tscra.org
Big bluestem is often used as a source of standing
hay in late fall or early winter because it is so palat- able; however, it will not cure as well as other natives and will deteriorate rapidly. Ranches with a rotational grazing system that allows
long rest periods can often keep a good population of this “ice cream plant.” Big bluestem in a pasture is a sign that good grazing management has been applied in the past.
Editor’s note: Jeff Goodwin and Kent Ferguson, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), are providing us with plant identifi cation photo stories to help ranchers identify those forbs, forages and brush species growing in the pastures. Photos provided by the authors.
August 2013 The Cattleman 47
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