Seeds in Season

contributed article by Justin Fruechte, Forage & Cover Crop Specialist and Jared Knock, Business Development Millborn Seeds, Brookings, SD

FILLING THE VOID

In the Midwest, many of us with cool-season introduced pastures, face a similar dilemma. The vast majority of our grass growth for the entire growing season has culminated by the first of July. Resulting in thick and tall stands through June but thinning and declining in nutrient value through July and August. By September, everything in the pasture is exhausted, and cattle start reaching over any loose wire for tall grass in the ditch as the regrowth of grass in cool-season pastures is washy and short. Couple this with fast-growing calves on cows, and it makes for a restless herd. Not only is performance on pause in this scenario, but pastures are typically overgrazed, ultimately setting them back for next spring.

Filling this grazing void can come from an annual forage system. Finding the planting window in conjunction with a crop rotation does take a bit of planning. Ideally, to graze a forage in September, it should be planted in July. So, what system can we develop that will yield the most return per acre and kick out some bonus grazing acres through September and October?

When we develop a grazing forage mix, we want diversity. Symbiotic relationships form among multiple species resulting in better growth and yield, sort of like the heterosis of crossing a Simmental bull on an Angus cow. Combining brassicas with grasses and legumes will give you that hybrid effect and kick out an excellent, high-performing forage option. The grasses are the high yielding component that provides dry matter and roughage in the diet. The brassicas complement the grasses with higher quality and more digestibility, and the legumes work toward fixing nitrogen for the other species in the mix and the ensuing crop. They also each take advantage of seasonal opportunities. If warm-season grasses are used, they will explode in growth through August but die with the first frost. The brassicas, however, are frost tolerant and will stay green even with snow cover. This mix makes for a TMR that averages out with 3-4 tons/acre of DM at 13-15% CP.

The best sub-species of brassicas for grazing are turnips, rapeseed, and radishes. If you want the newest and best on the market, look at Winfred, Hunter, and Graza Radishes. These improved varieties will have more foliage and yield.

If your pairs are ready for weaning the first of November, this grazing mix would be a perfect fit for your program. By grazing a high-quality forage mix in September and October, you can continue the growth curve on your calves and move your cows to stalks in good condition.

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