The most obvious way to conserve extra growth is by cutting hay from parts of the pasture. Normally I try to avoid extra hay cutting, but if you have the equipment and time, cutting hay now for use later in summer or winter can help reduce risk when resources are scarce.
For good hay quality and plant regrowth protential, cut pastures as seedheads are about to emerge. Also, be sure that the area cut is fenced out separately from the rest of the pasture. Otherwise, cattle will ignore and waste taller grass as they just graze new regrowth. You might even apply a little nitrogen fertilizer to stimulate growth if soil moisture is good.
Don't be surprised if certain weeds like common ragweed or foxtail become abundant in areas cut for hay. Ragweed or other non-palatable broadleaf weeds can be killed with herbicides. Not much can be done about foxtail or other annual grassy weeds, but cattle will graze them quite well if you allow them access before these weeds begin to head out. The same is true for many broadleaf weeds.
Bruce Anderson
Extension Forage Specialist
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