Crop and Soil Environmental News, August 2004

Stockpiling Tall Fescue

A good stand of tall fescue provides excellent fall and winter grazing for most classes of beef livestock

Benefits of Stockpiling Tall Fescue

• Less stress and disease of livestock
• Improved forage quality compared to hay
• Lower labor and machinery costs; less feed wasted
• Improved soil, sod, and water quality
• Ideal for frost seeding legumes following winter grazing

Four Key Decisions

1. Field Selection
1. Good stand of tall fescue (few or no weeds)
2. Good soil drainage for fall and winter grazing
3. Available water for livestock
4. Adequate fencing to allow control of livestock
2. Timing
   Too early = lower quality and weed growth Too late = reduced yield potential
1. August 1-15 West of Blue Ridge August 15-30 East of Blue Ridge
2. Preparation
1. Soil test and apply needed P, K and lime per soil test
2. Graze or mow to 3-4 inches and apply 60-80 lbs N/acre
3. Allow accumulation of tall fescue until November - December
4. Utilize other forages during accumulation of tall fescue
1. summer annuals and/or perennials
2. grass-legume pastures before quality deteriorates
3. feed hay if necessary to allow accumulation
3. Fertility
1. N Timing
   
2. N Rate
   
4. Utilization by Livestock
1. Use a high stocking density to reduce waste
2. Allow enough forage for no more than 2-3 days at a time
3. Sample calculation:
• 45 cows x 1200 lbs each x 2 1/2%* of body weight = 1,350 lbs/day/herd
• pasture production is 3,100 lbs dm/acre
• utilization is 80% with a high stocking density
• supply = 50 acres x 3,100 lbs dm/ac x .80 utilization = 124,000 lbs dm/ac
• 124,000 lbs dm divided by 1,350 lbs/day/herd = 90 days grazing
• 45 cows x 50 to 75 cents saved/day x 90 days = $2,000 to $3,000

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