- Select the pasture in advance.
- It should contain mostly tall fescue with the ideal pH to support forage growth.
- Prep the pasture by grazing/mowing to a height of 3 inches and then close it to grazing.
- The pasture should be rested for at least two weeks before N application; if the pasture was grazed below 3 inches, allow it to rest for four weeks prior to application of N. N fertilization should occur mid August in the mountains and September 1 in the piedmont. Ideally there should be 60 days of regrowth before cool weather sets in and slows forage growth.
- Fertilize the pasture with 50 - 80 lbs. of nitrogen.
- It’s important to consider the cost/type of nitrogen along with the pasture’s ability to produce forage without N supplementation before deciding on application rate.
- Some sources of N, such as urea and urea-based fertilizers, are volatile so they are best utilized if spread right before a rain. If you’ve used animal wastes like poultry litter or have a good rotational system utilizing legumes, you may already have plenty of N cycling in the soil, so N may not be needed in all cases.
- Utilize warm season forages and other pastures while the fescue accumulates. Half an acre of stockpiled fescue should provide 60-90 days of grazing per animal unit.
- It is important to not begin grazing too soon. The ergovaline content of the fescue will decline as winter progresses.
- Begin grazing after December or later, utilizing electric fencing to ensure most effective utilization. Keep an eye on the cattle to ensure they have adequate forage and nutrients.
- Give livestock enough forage for approximately 3 days at a time. Using frontal grazing prevents damage and decay to forage cattle do not need yet; no back stop is needed using this method due to slow rate of regrowth that time of year.
August is the time to start preparing if this is a practice that could work for you and your operation. It is never too early to consider planning for next year!
