Get More Out of Fall and Winter Grazing
Strip-grazing can increase carrying capacity.
November 4, 2024
by Mary Drewnoski & Erin Laborie, Nebraska Extension
After about five years of grazing fall cover crops, one thing became apparent: The amount of grazing achieved when we gave cattle access to the whole field from the start did not appear to be determined by the amount of forage that was in the field. This was because the weather seemed to determine how much trampling loss occurred. In wet years, we harvested less than 15% of the forage. On average, we captured about 30%. Thus, it seemed worth asking the question: “Would the extra forage captured with strip-grazing be worth the extra labor?”
During the past few years, we conducted a series of on-farm experiments to evaluate the effects of strip-grazing on harvest efficiency and cattle performance when utilizing various annual forage resources during the late fall and winter. We had five cooperating producers who compared continuous grazing (giving cattle access to a whole field) vs. strip-grazing with a new allocation of forage being offered once to twice a week.
On average, strip-grazing resulted in a 47% increase in grazing. This is due to less trampling losses.
What we learned
Strip-grazing increases carrying capacity, allowing more grazing head days on the same acres. On average, strip-grazing resulted in a 47% increase in grazing. This is due to less trampling losses, as strip-grazing lost an estimated 9% vs. 57% for continuous grazing of forage.
When grazing growing calves, strip-grazing can result in more pounds of gain per acre and, thus, a lower cost of gain. However, due to reduced forage selectivity, individual animal gain can be slightly decreased (6%-16%).
Higher-quality forages like late-summer-planted cool-season species such as oats and brassicas (rapeseed, turnips, etc.) seem to offer more return when strip-grazing.
Bottom line, strip-grazing does take a little extra effort, but the extra grazing capacity can make it worth it.
Want to hear from producers who are strip-grazing?
- Check out the webinar recording, “Is Strip-Grazing Worth It? Getting More Out of Fall Forage Cover Crops,” in which Brock and Heidi Terrell talk about their operation and give their perspectives on how cover crops fit their systems, as well as the benefits of strip-grazing cover crops in the fall.
- Rather listen to a podcast? Check out this BeefWatch podcast in which Doug Steffen, a producer in eastern Nebraska, talks about how he uses cover crops in an integrated crop and cattle operation.
- To read more about this study, check out the “Impact of Strip-Grazing Stockpiled Annual/Cover Crop Forages on Carrying Capacity and Animal Performance” in the 2024 UNL Beef Research Report.
This project was funded by NCR-SARE grant ONC20-076.
Editor’s note: Mary Drewnoski is a Nebraska Extension beef systems specialist. Erin Laborie is a Nebraska Extension educator. [Lead photo by Mary Drewnoski.]
Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA, Vol. 16, No. 11-A
Topics: Feedstuffs , Management , Nutrition , Pasture and Forage
Publication: Angus Beef Bulletin
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