Forage Fax

A different winter feeding approach, other than hay, could be the use of standing or stockpiled warm season perennials (such as bermudagrass or bahiagrass). These forages are allowed to accumulate in the field for grazing during fall and early winter. Stockpiled bermudagrass can provide the required nutrition for dry, pregnant cows through January if the appropriate procedure is followed. Producers should plan on providing approximately 45 to 60 days of grazing with the dormant bermudagrass. In most instances, stockpiled bermudagrass should be used up by January. Once the… Read More →

Reduce Winter Feeding with Stockpiled Forage and Winter Pasture   Friday, August 22 2025 VIRTUAL Would you prefer to feed hay for 60 days? 100 days? or 150 days? Here’s an opportunity to learn how to significantly reduce your hay feeding needs.   Topics Include: Stockpiled forage: management and utilization How many acres do you need of stockpiled forage and winter pasture? Cool-season forages and variety selection Establishment and fertilization Grazing and utilization strategies Monthly and seasonal forage production potential Appropriate mineral supplementation Estimated costs      … Read More →

When rain comes back to Central & East Texas, fall army worm infestations may develop (or already have) in pastures and hayfields. Larvae of fall armyworms are green, brown, or black with white to yellowish lines running from head to tail. A distinct white line between the eyes forms an inverted “Y” pattern on the face. Armyworms are very small at first, cause little plant damage and as a result often go unnoticed. Larvae feed for 2-3 weeks and full-grown larvae are about 1 to 1 ½ inches long…. Read More →

Weed of the Week: Maypop Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata L.) Perennial vine often found in cultivated areas, fields, pastures, roadsides and waste sites. Leaves are palmately shaped with 3 lobes. Flowers are bluish purple and white. Stems can trail along the ground or climb on other vegetation.  Stems are only slightly hairy and may reach 6 1/2 feet in length. Roots initially develop as a taproot but eventually develop a very deep perennial rootstock from which sprouts can emerge. A relatively large (1 1/2 – 3 inches long) berry that is green… Read More →

Invasive brush can decrease forage productivity for livestock or decrease brush diversity valuable for wildlife habitat.  Most ranchers find themselves constantly considering options for brush management, weighing not only the cost and effectiveness, but also when they can find the time to complete the treatments.   As temperatures continue to climb across the state and the chances of rainfall seem to be weakening, it’s important to consider the effect this will have on any herbicide applications. Treating weeds or brush with a leaf spray application when temperatures are as… Read More →

There are about 150 species of grasshoppers in the state of Texas, but 90% of the damage to crops, gardens, trees, and pastures is caused by just 5 species. Grasshoppers deposit their eggs 1/2 to 2 inches below the soil surface in pod-like structures. Each egg pod consists of 20 to 120 eggs. Egg pods are very resistant to cold and can easily survive the winter if the soil is not disturbed. Grasshoppers deposit eggs in fallow fields, ditches, fencerows, and weedy areas, as well as in crop… Read More →

Weed of the Week: Bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) Bahiagrass is a warm season perennial that grows in Texas. Bahiagrass spreads by J-shaped purplish rhizomes and seed. The seed head consists of two or three spikes. Bahiagrass can be very aggressive and take over quickly especially in areas where competition is weak. Bahiagrass is very tolerant of low fertility and soil acidity.   Bahiagrass can be utilized for grazing. Some of it’s attractions for producers include its excellent adaptation, ease of management, persistence under low fertilization and close grazing. Bahiagrass… Read More →

Weed of the Week: Silverleaf Nightshade (Solanum elaeagnifolium) Silverleaf nightshade has foliage with gray or silvery appearance, violet, light blue or white flowers, and is 1 to 3 feet tall. Stems are sparsely covered with short yellow thorns. Leaves and stems have a dense silvery covering of hair. Optimum time to spray with a herbicide is during bloom.   Select Herbicide Options: Weedmaster Duracor GrazonNext HL Grazon P+D Pasturall HL Surmount Chaparral (for bermudagrass pastures, will destroy bahiagrass) Cimarron Max (for bermudagrass pastures, will destroy bahiagrass) Pastora (for… Read More →

We rely heavily on our bermudagrass pastures and hay meadows during the summer in some parts of Texas. Often times we are disappointed with production, see a thinning of our stand and/or see disease like symptoms. This is often times referred to as “Bermudagrass Decline.” We quickly blame weather. Granted weather can have an impact on each of those issues. However, there is often a deeper problem that we need to access. Primary Causes: Low Potassium (K) Fertility: A deficiency in K will result in poor stress tolerance,… Read More →

Dallisgrass is a warm-season perennial that has grazing potential. Dallisgrass is palatable and has a higher level of nutritive value than bahiagrass and some bermudagrass varieties, and it can retain its nutritive value later into the summer. Dallisgrass, however, produces a lower dry matter yield than some bermudagrass varieties. One concern with dallisgrass is the potential for an “ergot” fungus (Claviceps spp.) to infect seedheads and cause dallisgrass poisoning (also known as dallisgrass staggers). The fungus infects the seedheads typically in late summer or fall. The affected animals… Read More →