Range specialist Lindsay Jones, of Ignacio, shared information on how to improve your pasture.
She's a graduate student at Colorado State University researching livestock forage.
"Grazing is the cheapest source of nutrients," she said during a seminar at the Four States Ag Expo on Friday. "Every day grazing is money saved."
Optimizing pasture yields takes planning. Undergrazing a pasture is inefficient and forces livestock to overeat and get fat, a waste of protein. What happens is the animals, especially horses, gorge on the best plants, she said.
"That allows other valuable forage in the field to grow too much, losing their palatability and nutrients," she said.
Uniform grazing is ideal. Livestock excrete 70 to 90 percent of what they eat, which helps fertilize the soil and plants.
"High stock density does not equal overgrazing if done properly," Jones said.
Ag land should be divided into pastures and livestock rotated throughout to allow healthy regrowth for each pasture.
She recommended grazing when forage is 8 inches tall, and ending at 4 inches. Pastures should be left alone five to seven days before regrazing.
"It might seem like its a waste to leave that four inches, but the most important thing for regrowth is leaving enough room for some leaves," Jones said.
Ninety percent of the plant's reserves are in that 4 inches, added CSU ag extension specialist John Rizza.
Managing pastures during summer months is challenging because regrowth is more difficult, and needs more time between grazing.
"Don't use a calendar for grazing rotations," Jones said. "Observe the livestock and condition of your pastures."
Irrigation should occur once livestock are taken off a pasture.
Another effective technique is to occasionally let a pasture grow through its entire cycle.
"Letting it go to seed and then knocking it down is really beneficial," Rizza said.
Other suggestions: Conduct soil tests every three years to see if nutrients are needed; lure livestock to lesser-used areas of the field with mineral blocks and water; take an aerial photo to organize pasture fencing.
"We have good water-management technicians who will come out to your farm for testing and to provide information, and it is all for free," Rizza said.
