Though heavy rains have brought relief to the drought-ravaged plains, the High Plains Journalwarns that ranchers should be careful in the coming months and years. Though things look better than they have in ages, animal and range science experts advise ranchers to be guarded when stocking herds.
Dr. Gerald Horn, an animal science professor at Oklahoma State University, said ranchers need to give grasses time to recover. For those who plant wheat for pasture, Horn stressed the importance of planting early. This will give ranchers adequate fall forage production prior to placing cattle on wheat.
Keith Harmoney, associate professor of agronomy at Kansas State, agreed that ranchers shouldn’t put too many cattle on grass this fall. He also stressed that ranchers will want a certain amount of residual grass at the end of the year. This will help pastures avoid runoff.