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Grazing Range Shield Products
• Range shield products are designed to provide high quality forage for grazing within a rangeland/dryland or limited irrigation setting. Following key grazing guidelines will greatly enhance the success of Range Shield.
Grazing Rules for New Seedings:
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• Giving a new planting adequate time to establish prior to grazing is critical.
• Depending on precipitation that could mean deferring grazing for up to a year or more depending on climate conditions.
• Keep in mind perennial grasses, such as those found in Range Shield, are initially primarily focused on developing below ground root mass which is critical for supporting long-term survivability.
• During this initial phase of root development perennial grass are highly susceptible to damage from grazing.
• The first grazing should be a quick, short duration, low impact, low (2530%) utilization type of graze, and the pasture should not be re-grazed until grass has regrown to 10-12 inches.
Key Success Factors Grazing Range Shield:
• Adequate rest/recovery between grazing is critical.
• Rotational grazing that allows enough rest between grazing to allow grass to full recovery prior to re-grazing will greatly improve longevity and quality of a pasture.
• Full recovery takes place when plant has developed a full 4th or 5th leaf. Plant height of 10 – 12 inches is usually a sign the grass has recovered.
• Leaving sufficient residual (4+ inches) after grazing greatly prolongs stand life.
• Utilize the “take half-leave half” rule of thumb.
• Vary grazing dates. By avoiding grazing the same pasture the same time year after year will improve the health and longevity of your pasture. This can be achieved by keeping a record of when a pasture was grazed and varying grazing dates from year to year.
• Utilizing warm-season grasses such as native pasture, Barenbrug Mojo™, CoverGraze™, bermudagrass etc. during summer months within a comprehensive forage program will stretch forage availability and help overcome the summer slump that can be associated with cool season grasses. Barenbrug’s PinPoint™ program provides several options to overcome seasonal forage gaps.
Class of Livestock Suitable for Grazing Range Shield Products
• All classes of livestock can safely graze Range Shield products.
Grazing Range Shield Products
Animal Nutrition & Mineral Supplementation While Grazing Range Shield Products
• Depending on your area, mineral supplementation could be important. Consult your local veterinarian or animal nutritionist for recommendations specific to your area.
Haying Range Shield Products
• Range Shield products make very high-quality hay, but they require adequate moisture to produce sufficient yield.

• In cases where conditions allow, taking a hay crop off in early summer then stockpiling the pasture for fall or winter grazing can work well.
• When haying, never cut below 4” inches (higher is better) to ensure adequate residual leaf for photosynthesis (energy production), and to protect the plant’s energy reserves located in the basal stem.
• Depending upon you fertilization program Range Shield hay has tested as high as 14-18% CP, usually range between 8 – 12% CP on a dry matter basis.
Agronomy
Fertilization Weed Control Irrigation
• In the west fertilization at planting is not usually recommended since it tends to stimulate weed growth and can encourage invasive species. An exception is when planting occurs in an irrigated pasture. If irrigation will be utilized, we suggest you fertilize according to soil test under advisement of an agronomist. Under irrigation, fertilizing with around 50 – 100 units of N in something like a 10-10-10 formulation might be beneficial.
• Normally not necessary as grass will usually out compete weeds by the second year after planting. However, an approved herbicide can be applied at the 4 or 5 leaf stage if deemed necessary, for example in areas of exceptionally high weed seed bank. We recommend you consult an agronomist.
NOTE
If planting after corn take caution since certain herbicides used in corn are particularly detrimental to grass. Consult your licensed agronomist to ensure residual herbicides won’t affect your Range Shield planting.
• Irrigation is not required when planted in appropriate precipitation zone under normal climate conditions. However, irrigation can be used on all Range Shield products to maximize yield or as a drought mitigation strategy. If irrigation will be utilized plan your irrigation scheduling to apply ½ to 1+ inch of water per week depending on rainfall, soil water holding capacity, time of year, and evapotranspiration (ET).