The fall/winter phase lasts through mid-February.
Depending on ranch location, planting date and plant species, the spring phase begins mid-February and can last through mid-April. Production typically increases during the spring phase. “When the rain is dependable, a general rule of
thumb for stocking is 500 pounds on the hoof per acre in the fall/winter and 1,000 pounds on the hoof per acre in the spring,” Johnson says. Winter pasture may be a small grain crop, winter
ryegrass, or a combination of several different plant species such as a small grain, a legume and a brassica (a genus of plants in the mustard family). Plant species are dictated by climate and soil type. “When we talk about winter pasture in the South-
ern Plains, 90 percent of the winter pasture crop acres are planted to wheat, 90 percent of the time,” Johnson says. Wheat species are widely adapted to most soil types and give producers the option of leaving cattle on the wheat through late February while retaining the ability to harvest a grain crop. Other species that may be considered include oats,
which are highly palatable and work well in wetter soils; cereal rye, which is adapted to sandy soils; barley,
A general rule of thumb for stocking is 500 pounds on the
hoof per acre in the fall/winter and 1,000 pounds on the hoof per acre in the spring.
which can tolerate higher saline and higher pH soils; and triticale, a hybrid cross of wheat and rye which is widely adapted and known for its high tonnage forage production and suitability for baling as well as green chopping. In general, small grains are seeded at a rate of 2 bushels per acre. Another alternative is ryegrass, an annual forage
plant that does well in heavy, wetter soils. It can be planted alone or in combination with small grains. Ryegrass is usually seeded at a rate of 15 to 20 pounds per acre. “When mixed with a small grain, ryegrass can ex-
Proud Sponsor Of:
THA Fall Classic Sale — Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2015, Buffalo Livestock Marketing Inc., Buffalo, Texas
THA 47th Annual Whiteface Replacement Sale — Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016, Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show, Ft. Worth, Texas
Cowtown Invitational Sale — Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016, Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show, Ft. Worth, Texas
James Walker National Hereford Show — Monday, Feb. 1, 2016, Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show, Ft. Worth, Texas
For more information, contact:
Texas Hereford Association
texashereford@sbcglobal.net •
www.texashereford.org
Ft. Worth, Texas • 817-831-3161
tscra.org August 2015 The Cattleman 67
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