Cool season legumes make high quality grazing. Next, he said to compare the quantity and goal with animal requirements. Maybe you should think about moving your calving dates to keep your dry cows during the winter and then calve right before the spring flush of grass. To test hay for protein, Bade suggested looking at the leaf, maturity, weed content, and then quality. Look at the body condition of animals and the animals' feces.
Legumes really make a difference.
Use of clovers can also reduce fertilizer costs, the forage specialist noted. Bade said standing hay, another economical option for stretching grazing which is foreign to most Texas producers, deserves a look. He warned that stand failures can occur from a poorly prepared seedbed, inadequate moisture at planting, poor quality seed, and planting too deep. If you decide you're going to produce standing hay of good quality, fertilize it in September and use an electric fence to force the cows to eat it. In February, you may need to send clippings to the lab to see if you need to add a little protein.