Page 16 - MWC 4-20-2023s

CAN I START The Midwest Cattleman · April 20, 2023 · P16
continued from page 9 Smith, pointed out that if you good time to do it unless you other elements start becom-
can still see the last grazing already did it last fall. Fields ing more readily available.
plant will help take care of event (torn or bitten leaf that have had any hay taken It is a good idea to move
you. ends), then you shouldn’t be off them should be tested to a high magnesium type
Ideally, it is best to wait grazing yet. I’ve found this more often and at least every mineral supplement (usual-
and let the forage grasses de- to be very true. The biggest other year. It is difficult to ly 10-20% instead of 1 or 2%)
velop a good solar panel prior challenge is staging out the maintain a stand of quality during the early forage peri-
to starting to graze. In most paddocks where they don’t forage that produces to its od and continue with it until
tall, cool season forages like get ahead of you too much potential and provides nutri- we are past the early flush
tall fescue and orchardgrass or are not ready for grazing tious feed without adequate of new forage. Ideally start
this is at least eight to 10 again quick enough. If you fertility levels. Systems that using it a few weeks prior
inches. A little more is usually start grazing too early, you are rotated frequently, man- to needing it. Grass tetany
better. If you say, “I can’t wait will end up grazing regrowth aged well, and don’t have can occur during these early
that long,” then you better prior to sufficient recovery. If any hay removed from them forage growth periods and
keep the animals moving and you wait too long, you’ll have are generally a lot easier to especially with huge swings
rotating them pretty quickly more grass trying to ma- maintain long term. in temperatures. It can also
and absolutely not allow any ture. Keep an eye on what If funds are limited, calci- occur occasionally in the
grazing of regrowth. is ahead growth wise. Fast- um is probably the first and fall. This is also true whether
Nothing is more import- er rotations work well in the best money spent. Calcium you are grazing perennials or
ant than rest and recovery spring as long as you keep and its relationship, or ratio, annuals.
for forage plants. Multiple them moving. Slower rota- with magnesium has a major Most high magnesium
removal and multiple bites tions work well later with impact on the forage’s ability mineral mixes are lower
off the same plant, especial- more growth letting them to extract nutrients from the in phosphorus so you prob-
ly of regrowth, will hamper remove more yet keeping the soil and certainly the acidity ably should change back
growth for the season and grazing period short. This or alkalinity of the soil which after the tetany season has
that forage plant will never normally allows for longer can dictate what will or can passed. The issue with insuf-
fully express itself. recovery prior to grazing grow. You should shoot for at ficient magnesium is more
Ideally, after the plant again. We’ll talk more about least a 4:1 ratio of calcium to of a problem where nitrogen
has been grazed, it needs this later. magnesium, or 5:1 if you are and/or potassium has been
sufficient time and rest to If you haven’t taken any a dairy operation. If you are applied recently or in ex-
allow it to fully recover prior soil tests on your pastures really short on calcium and cessive amounts. For more
to being grazed again. One recently, especially in the start fixing that problem, detailed information about
very smart individual, Burt last four years, then now is a then you might find out that continued on page 17

WE CAN DO BETTER!

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