It’s May. The cows are restless at the sight of green grass just on the other side of the fence. Your lawn is a bright green, and pastures are becoming green. Before you decide that the pasture looks good enough to turn cattle out on, think again. This year, that decision carries more weight than ever.
Iowa State forage specialist Shelby Gruss recently joined “Beef Collective” host Patrick Wall on the podcast to talk through what producers should be thinking about as they prepare for spring turnout. At the top of the list: don’t turn out too early, and don’t underestimate what that decision costs you in the long run.
“The No. 1 thing it takes to grow grass is grass,” Wall notes.
Why Early Turnout Backfires
In the spring, grass looks more mature than it really is. Visually, that vibrant green signals that the grass is ready to be grazed on. Turning cattle out too early puts underdeveloped plants under pressure they cannot handle yet.
“We also think that way because spring is when our grass grows the best, typically,” Gruss says. “Typically, we think, ‘Oh, we’ll get ahead of it by doing this.’ But we’re actually just starting off on a bad foot in general.”
That above-ground growth sets up pastures for success. Turning out too early, combined with continuous grazing of the same plants, does not give grass a chance to fully develop.
“If we turn out too early, especially this year, with producers saving more heifers and trying to expand, we’re going to put ourselves behind the eight ball before we ever hit peak growing season,” Wall says.
What “Ready” Actually Looks Like
Gruss recommends a minimum 10-inch height benchmark for grass in continuous grazing systems. That height gives the plant enough leaf area to continue photosynthesizing even while cattle are actively grazing. In operations that use rotational grazing, cattle can be turned out on shorter grass but must be moved more quickly to avoid eating the grass down in one pasture.
“The plant uses photosynthesis; you have to have above-ground growth to support the whole plant,” Gruss explains.
Sunlight captured in the blades of the grass is transformed into nutrients and energy to support healthy grass. When cattle graze a plant too low, they strip away the leaf area the plant needs to capture sunlight. Without that above-ground growth working to support it, the plant essentially has to start over. That recovery draws from the root reserves, weakening the plant over time and reducing overall pasture production.
“If we’re constantly hitting it, we are not giving that plant an opportunity to grow and keep producing,” Gruss says.
Hay as a Management Tool
In this season, carryover hay is widely available and affordable. Feeding hay to keep cattle off grass can be used as a bridge strategy.
“A cow is smart enough — and dumb enough — that if you put dry hay and green grass in front of her, she’s going to nub down whatever’s growing before she touches the bale,” Gruss adds.
Before turning cattle out on grass, ensure they are full and not ready to eat everything in front of them. This will slow down their excitement to graze on grass while supporting the grass growth, recommends Gruss.
For producers tempted to split the difference, Gruss suggests a stair-step approach. Turn cattle out for a limited time, bring them back in and shut them off the pasture, then feed hay until the grass is ready to handle the pressure of the herd grazing.
The Financial Stakes
“Every pound that calf gains on the side of that cow this year has been historically worth about $5 to $6 right now per pound. You can’t make any hay that’s ever worth $5 to $6
a pound,” Wall says.
Producers who mismanage spring turnout risk shortening their grazing season, reducing the number of grazing days available in the most valuable time in the cattle market in a generation. Using a stair-step approach supports the grass for grazing throughout the whole season.
Have a Plan
No season goes perfectly. Between weather and the market, many factors are out of our control. Choosing when to turn out cattle to graze this spring, however, is within our control. Producers who have thought ahead of the season and prepared a backup plan will have the most gain while protecting their pasture.
“Grazing is the cheapest option that we can have,” Gruss summarizes. “If we manage them like we manage our corn or soybeans, we’re going to get the most productivity that we can.”
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