By Andi Anderson
Livestock producers are being urged to ease up on fall grazing to protect pastures from long-term damage. According to extension specialists, grazing forages too short before winter weakens plants, slows spring recovery, and opens the door for weeds and soil erosion.
Many producers graze aggressively in the fall to delay feeding hay or maximize grazing days. While understandable, this can cost more in the long run. Grazing before plants are fully dormant forces them to use stored energy for regrowth, reducing reserves needed for spring recovery.
Experts recommend waiting until cool-season grasses have entered dormancy—typically after several nights below 25°F or when soil temperatures stay under 40°F—before the final grazing of the season.
Even then, forages shouldn’t be grazed too close. Maintaining at least three to four inches of residual height helps insulate roots, protect crowns, trap snow, and prevent runoff. Once plants are dormant, light grazing can help spread manure and reduce compaction, but heavy traffic should be avoided on wet or soft ground.
Farmers dealing with persistent weeds can take advantage of the fall season to improve stands. Strategic mowing, strip grazing, or targeted herbicide applications can reduce invasive species and open the canopy for new growth.
Rotational or multi-species grazing—such as alternating cattle with sheep or goats—can also balance forage use and help control unwanted plants.
Good soil fertility supports strong root systems and thick growth, but rest is equally critical. Allowing pastures to recover through fall and winter ensures dense stands and fewer weeds next spring.
As one expert put it, feeding hay a little earlier in fall “isn’t wasteful—it’s insurance for spring.” Protecting forages now by leaving adequate cover and reducing pressure prepares pastures for early, vigorous growth when the new season begins.
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Categories: Ohio, General