The transition zone’s fall forage gap emerges when cool‑ and warm‑season grasses slow, tightening feed supply. Strategic use of stockpiled forages, winter annuals and, where appropriate, native warm-season grasses can help extend grazing days and minimize hay use.

Native perennial warm‑season grasses such as big bluestem, indiangrass, little bluestem, switchgrass and eastern gamagrass deliver high dry matter production with exceptional drought and heat tolerance. Their carbon dioxide capture, water use efficiency and low nutrient demands make them a durable, low‑input complement to cool‑season forages. While widely used on rangelands, their benefits remain underutilized among Eastern cattle producers.