A University of Minnesota Crop News blog shared tips for dealing with drought stressed pastures. Extension Crops Educator David Nicolai says it’s important not to put added pressure on already drought stressed pastures. Cool season grasses and legumes usually become dormant during a drought. “We want to avoid overgrazing. That can weaken the plant and lead to stand loss and allow for weed invasion.” Nicolai encourages reducing the stocking rate of drought stressed pastures and warns it’s important to give forages time to recover. “It typically takes four-to-six inches of water to produce a ton of cool season grass or alfalfa forage.” Grazing should be delayed until there are at least eight inches of regrowth to preserve the stand. Listen to the full interview with Nicolai here.
