What Products Might Be Used and How Might These Products Be Used to Extend Grazing As Pastures Decrease During Drought?

The following recommendations apply to drought situations where grass in the pasture is limited in quantity. Please note that these recommendations are meant to maintain body condition in nursing cows in the second stage of lactation. If a decrease in cow condition is acceptable, or calves have been weaned early, then feeding rates could be decreased. 

Situation	Recommendation
Grass--fair quality but drying out rapidly     Cows — nursing calves	1-2 lbs Forage Balancer Cube 1N 3408 Forage Balancer Cube 2N 3416 Southwest 14N 3058 Southwest Breeder 3347 Accuration® GS HL 3399
Grass–completely dried out in poor quality Cows–nursing calves	2-3 lbs (same products as above)  (same products as above)
Grass–fair quality but becoming limited if no rain comes. Trying to extend your grazing days until rain.   Cows–nursing cows	3-4 lbs (same products as above) or 4-6 lbs Forage Extender 3155 Stockyards Chow 3245 (same products as above)
Situation	Recommendation
Grass–completely dried out in poor quality becoming limited in quantity. Trying to extend your grazing days until rain.   Cows–nursing calves	4-6 lbs Forage Balancer Cube 1N 3408 Forage Balancer Cube 2N 3416 Southwest 14N 3058 Southwest Breeder 3347 Accuration® GS HL 3399 or 7-9 lbs Forage Extender 3155 Stockyard Chow 3245
Grass–limited grass or hay–no more available than 6 lbs/head/day   Cows–nursing calves	9-10 lbs Forage Extender 3155 Stockyard Chow 3245 Plus 2-3 lbs Corn

 

Additional Means of Alleviating Grazing Pressure On Drought Pasture

Creep feeding calves will also take the pressure off of the pasture as cows and calves are competing for grass. Creep feeding will add pounds to the calves’ weaning weight at a rate of 50-80 lbs/calf depending on frame size. This amounts to a projected net return of $15.00-$30.00/calf as of June 1989 calf prices. Creep feeding will also allow calves to handle early weaning better if conditions worsen. Each cattleman must assess the needs of his individual operation and begin to implement a plan as soon as possible in case the drought situation continues.