Mow to a stubble of 4 to 6 inches the first time, 6-8 inches the second time, and slightly higher if a third mowing is necessary. Cease mowing after early August to avoid disrupting root carbohydrate storage of the native grasses. The objective is to have cattle eat the tender weeds such as foxtail, crabgrass, and pigweed, but not graze the developing nwsg grass seedlings. Repeat the process each week but stop by August I and never graze more than two days per week. Check Extension, USDA, or MDC offices to see what is currently labeled for nwsg.
Annual grasses are the main concern.
Second Year Management Native warm-season grasses are still developing this year and should not be pressed for production. Prescribed burning is not normally recommended until plants are two years old because winter-heaving can expose the crowns and rhizomes of young grasses to fire injury. Also, the grasses are rarely well enough developed to respond to the improved growing conditions following the burn more than can competing weeds. Marestail, common ragweed, heath aster and a few other broadleaf weeds may need to be mowed in late May or early June to prevent them from overtopping the young grasses. A weedy cutting of hay or light grazing may be substituted for mowing but should not be done after July 15.