As we proceed through the start of summer, many of us are already in the routine of things that need to be done: checking on cows, maintaining water and mineral supplies and probably some of that never-ending fence or machine maintenance. If your cattle are being moved to different pastures or areas within your range lease, then you are also keeping an eye on the height of grass available for your herd. While grass quantity is often observed, have you taken time to test the quality of those grasses?
Summer heat brings on a seasonal slump in many of the pasture/range grasses. This slump is when cool-season grasses (which are a majority of the grazing forage in the western U.S.) do not thrive and are much slower to regrow after grazing. When this happens, it is easy for a pasture to be overgrazed if it is not managed properly. Rotating cattle to other pastures when the grass has been grazed to half its starting height is a good rule of thumb. During this time, the quantity as well as the quality of the forage may not be where we need it to be for the nutritional needs of our cattle, since the rate of photosynthesis and energy production is quite limited. Many are familiar with testing samples of baled forages; however, testing can also be done on standing grasses to identify any deficiencies in nutritional value.
Gathering samples is a rather simple process. Grasses for a sample must be cut about an inch above the ground. These samples must be cut and not just pulled from the ground to ensure that no dirt from the roots is added, which will contaminate a sample. Smaller pastures may require about 20 samples from random locations, which should be collected and combined in a clean bucket. Larger pastures or rangeland may require 40 or so samples. After a thorough mixing, fill a quart-size bag with the grass and place it in the freezer. Sending in a frozen sample will help to reduce any decay of the sample. Drying is also an option if you wish to go that route before submitting. Deliver or send samples directly to a testing lab of your choosing with two- to three-day shipping. Results are usually sent to you within a week, depending on the lab.
Using these results to determine if you are meeting protein, energy and mineral needs is a great way to ensure your cattle are keeping up on nutrient requirements. This process can help to ensure the body condition of cows going into the fall is at an optimum level.
