A lack of available forage would indicate that the range and pasture management practices should be reviewed in relation to stocking rates and the amount of litter or forage residue maintained. Regardless of how a drought is defined, dealing with it is serious business. If drought is not planned for, a beef operation could become unprofitable or fail. To successfully manage in the face of drought, a producer needs to know how drought will affect plants, livestock, and management practices. Perennial pasture The management of a perennial pasture, both native range and tame pasture, is different than that of annuals.
Perennial pasture offers some protection against the variation in production of annual plants.
Past grazing practices have a large bearing on what happens to a perennial pasture during a drought. Moderate use develops deep rooted forage plants. Heavy use develops plants with shallow roots. Forage production dramatically decreases during a drought, and the shallow rooted plants are affected sooner and to a greater degree than the more deeply rooted ones. Moderate use may be indicated by the amount of carry over or litter left at the end of the grazing season.