Mont. - Winter cereals may be the way to reduce the impact of drought on next spring's available forage. Fall-seeded winter cereal forages can be grazed in May and early June and can help cover reduced production from perennial forage stands when dry conditions persist through the fall.
Research shows that the forage yield potential of winter cereals is significant.
Annual forages often are used to cover production short falls in perennial forages due to stand renovation, winter kill and reduction in available land. The use of annual forages as part of the forage base is increasing in many livestock operations, partly because they are becoming more aware of their quality and yield potential. Spring cereals are traditionally used more than winter cereals for forage. Haybet awnless spring barley has become one of the more popular cereal forages being seeded on over 65,000 acres per year. The forage potential of winter cereals in the Northern Rocky Mountain region has not been thoroughly investigated.