He plants forages that are normally susceptible to depletion by grazing and exposes them to heavy grazing. Then, he selects plants that survive and uses them as the basis for a grazing-tolerant version of the original variety. Better persistence was also Bouton's goal when he helped develop the MaxQ tall fescue lines that have recently become available. So far, growing MaxQ fescue is still a big challenge for farmers in the Deep South. Minimize stored-feed needs.
Ball cites studies showing that hay is three times more expensive than pasture.
For instance, overseeding perennials with winter annuals can extend grazing by two to three months at a fairly low cost. Crop residue can also help, even though the quality of crop residue tends to be low, and the length of time cattle can graze residue is short, usually less than a month or so. In case of a forage shortage, hay fields can serve as an emergency source of grazing, according to Ball. Stockpiling forage can also reduce hay needs, and Ball says fescue is ideally suited for it. It may not be possible to eliminate the need for hay, but, Ball says, it makes sense to protect any hay that has been purchased or produced.