Green might be popping up after a cold winter, but pastures aren’t ready for spring turnout just yet. NDSU Extension says the combination of an autumn drought and delayed spring caused a significant delay in grass development this year. NDSU Extension Livestock Environmental Stewardship Specialist Miranda Meehan says pastures might not be ready for another four weeks. “We had such a dry fall that tiller development was poor and the cold temperatures that we’ve had has put us behind on growing degree days.” Meehan cautions ranchers, saying a 45-to-60 percent loss of forage production can seen if grazing too early. “It can cost grazing days at the end of the season if there’s not enough regrowth.”
