Managing Pastures Through Wet Weather and Early Maturity

By Andi Anderson

Unpredictable weather this year has made pasture management a real challenge. Rapid forage growth and excess rainfall caused many cool-season grasses to mature too early, leading to lower quality feed and limited regrowth.

Saturated soils have stressed grass roots, reduced nitrogen uptake, and triggered early seed production.

When grasses reach the boot stage—the point just before seed heads emerge—grazing or clipping helps stop seed formation. Managing grasses at this stage supports tillering and encourages healthy regrowth. However, rain made it difficult to act in time. Many farmers couldn’t clip without damaging wet soils or compacting fields.

While clipping does improve forage quality, doing it too late or under poor conditions may remove valuable forage and reduce regrowth. It’s best to graze first, then clip to remove leftover stems and promote even grazing later.

In overly wet years, some flexibility helps. If soil health is a goal, using short-term grazing—less than two days—lets livestock eat the best parts while leaving the rest to cover and enrich the soil. This method slows regrowth less than overgrazing, where animals graze too low and damage the plant's “solar panel.”

Overgrazed pastures recover slowly, with fewer roots and less energy. In contrast, leaving some cover helps maintain photosynthesis and soil protection. Pastures managed this way are usually ready to graze again in 45 to 60 days.

If clipping is needed, aim to remove seed heads without cutting too low. Clipping too short mimics overgrazing, which weakens plants and soil. Clipping can also help create a more even stand and improve livestock grazing next time.

Avoid haying pastures unless necessary. Grazing keeps nutrients in place, while haying removes them and increases the risk of feed shortages in dry periods.

The key is to manage pastures with the full season in mind. Timely grazing, careful clipping, and soil awareness help optimize forage and support livestock health.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-jacqueline-nix