It is high time to be planting seed for winter grazing in east Texas pastures. Winter pastures have greatly benefitted east Texas stockmen for generations.
A winter pasture could consist of ryegrass, clovers, or small grains such as wheat, oats, or rye. Winter pastures are planted in the fall and can provide very high-quality grazing during a time when hay is fed.
Additionally, the cost of many winter forage options can be very competitive with the price of hay. You could easily budget as much as $100 to $150 or more an acre for seed, lime and fertilizer. Yet, that single acre should then produce superior forage for as many as 2 cows. And considering an average cost of $50 for a typical round bale of hay, the economics are in favor of a winter pasture.
The risk of course is that it takes moisture to germinate seed, and when it does germinate, we need adequate moisture to keep it alive and growing. And moisture it our soil is what we don’t have right now.
I asked our regional expert in this field, Dr Vanessa Corriher-Olson. She is a Professor and Extension Forage Specialist with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. When I asked if her if it was too dry to apply seed she responded, “It is too dry in may parts to put out winter forage seed, but if you don’t get it out, and then miss a rain event, then we will be regretting that decision.”
Dry fall seasons often discourage producers from overseeding pastures since stand failures occur due to a lack of water seed bed moisture. Adequate rainfall is key to the success of any winter annual forage program.
Dr. Olson went on to say that the least risk would be ryegrass. “Broadcast it out, dust it in, and wait for rain.” Ryegrass (not to be confused with rye grain) can offer a tremendous amount of forage to graze late in the spring and even into early summer enough rainfall and cooler temperatures.
Then next level of moderate risk can be given to small grains. Many producers use no-till drills with good results on established bermuda and bahiagrass. No-till drills are sometimes available for rent through the local soil conservation district or seed/fertilizer dealer. The deeper planting required by small grains may provide a measure of insurance in dry soil.
“I would think twice on legumes,” says Olson. She states, “They are the most risky winter annual to plant in this dry soil.” Now I’m a big fan of legumes and hate to hear this. Not only can winter legumes provide grazing in March, April, and May, before summer grasses start their growth, but clovers can also add extra nitrogen if they are managed by grazing. In good conditions, clovers may add about three tons more dry matter to the total forage (summer grasses + clover) produced during the year.
Remember that any high quality, cool season forage could be used to supplement cows and grow retained, purchased, or gain stockers Rye is the most winter hardy of the annual small grain winter pasture grasses.
Olson closed with, “If we do end up with adequate soil moisture this winter, be prepared to manage any winter forages planted, especially those overseeded into existing warm season perennial sods.” An over-abundance of any vegetation in the spring could hinder the growth of summer forages, both bermuda and bahiagrass. Olson advises to “Be prepared to increase stocking rate or harvest excess forage at that time to allow for warm season perennials to break dormancy.”