Managing Untimely Pasture Growth During Wet Seasons

By Andi Anderson

This year’s unusually wet spring and summer across much of the eastern U.S. has made pasture management tricky. Fast forage growth, paired with soggy fields, has left many farmers struggling to maintain forage quality.

At a recent pasture ecology workshop in Southern Indiana, experts and farmers discussed practical ways to handle the challenges.

Heavy rains and saturated soils reduce nitrogen uptake, causing stress in cool-season grasses. As a survival response, these grasses often shift into reproduction early, going to seed faster than usual.

While this helps the plant survive, it leads to lower-quality forage with more stems and less digestible material.

The best time to graze is during the late boot stage—just before the seed head emerges. Timely grazing or clipping during this stage helps stop seed head formation and encourages regrowth.

However, consistent wet conditions made timely clipping nearly impossible this year. Many farmers delayed clipping to avoid soil compaction or further damage from machinery.

When conditions are too wet for clipping or haying, grazing first is always the better choice. Clipping without grazing may remove valuable forage. Clipping done right—just high enough to mimic grazing—can even out the stand, remove stems, promote tillering, and improve regrowth.

In wetter years, consider alternative strategies like top grazing or short-term paddock rotations, allowing animals to graze the best and trample the rest. While overgrazing damages plant health and slows recovery, a light touch improves soil cover and maintains energy reserves.

The goal is not to maximize one grazing event but to optimize the full grazing season. Focus on grazing strategies that support both forage quality and soil health. Observe closely, plan ahead, and adjust based on weather and field conditions.

Whether you’re clipping, grazing, or rotating animals, the key is being flexible. With the right management, even a challenging season can yield strong pasture performance.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-shotbydave