Page 24 - MWC 3-30-2023s

‘SACRIFICE PASTURES’ SPARE BEST The Midwest Cattleman · March 30, 2023 · P24

CATTLE GRAZING PASTURES

Written by Macey Mueller

So-called “sacrifice pas- and help make decisions on
tures” might be needed to the pastures that need to be
help promote forage produc- renovated.
tion the rest of this cattle “Move cattle to sacrifice
grazing season, according pastures for hay feeding
to Patrick Davis, a Univer- until cool-season grass pas-
sity of Missouri Extension tures are at proper grazing
livestock specialist based in height, which is approxi-
Stockton. mately 4-6 inches,” he says.
“Cattle producers wel- This helps supply fertility in
come the rain, but it leads the form of manure and hay
to muddy pastures, and with in these areas, which helps
limited forage resources fol- in the renovation process.
lowing the drought, proper This strategy also reduc- The ‘sacrifice pastures’ strategy helps reduce the destruction of good
pastures.
management is needed for es the destruction of good
optimum grazing the rest of pastures, which could affect For more information on your local MU Extension
the year,” says Davis. their productivity through- pasture management and agronomy or livestock spe-
“The drought has led to out the grazing season. how to get the most out of cialist.
thin pasture stands, so cat- “Proper seeding and man- your pastures in the upcom- MU Extension
tle producers need to evalu- agement of sacrifice pas- ing grazing season, contact
ate their pastures, find those tures are important to pro-
thin stands that need reno- mote grass growth so those AVOID APPLYING parts of limbs.
vation and consider using pastures can be brought continued from page 23 •Losing tail switches.
those pastures as sacrifice back into the grazing sys- seed and endophyte training; •Extreme heat stress.
pastures,” he says. Davis tem,” he says. transitioning from toxic fes- •Rapid breathing/panting.
urges consultation with local “Forage management is cue; products; and incentives •Spending more time in
MU Extension agronomy key to profitably of your cat- and cost share. ponds.
specialists to grade pastures tle operation,” he says. MU Extension veterinary •Possible staggering.
toxicologist Tim Evans says •Occasional seizures.
fescue toxicosis is one of the “Ergotism is like fescue
biggest challenges for cattle toxicosis on steroids,” Evans
producers. says. It is not nearly as de-
Test tall fescue pastures pendent on ambient tem-
for endophyte infection and perature. Clinical signs of
ergot alkaloid content during hoof and tail switch slough-
early spring, says Evans. En- ing during late spring and
dophytes remain dormant summer are generally indic-
through winter then break ative of ergot, he says.
dormancy when fescue be- MU’s Veterinary Medical
gins spring green-up. Diagnostic Laboratory tests
Evans gives symptoms of for ergot poisoning and other
ergot poisoning: toxins. Contact Evans at
•Lameness. evanst@missouri.edu or visit
•Hair loss and reddening vmdl.missouri.edu/toxicolo-
around tops of hooves. gy.
•Sloughing of hooves or MU Extension

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