While spring brings new life to pastures in the Southeast, as we enter the late-spring time frame, we often encounter drier conditions.

Although we don’t discuss burning warm-season perennial pastures and hayfields as much anymore as a management tool, fire is one of nature’s ways of preparing for renewal.

Going into fall and winter, forage and hay supplies are limited for many producers. Fortunately, many areas have received some rain and may be able to produce some grazing from warm-season perennial forages this fall or plant some cool-season annuals.

In the southeast U.S., perennial grasses such as tall fescue, bermudagrass and bahiagrass make up a large portion of our annual hay crop.