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Grazing North Texas – King Ranch Bluestem… Friend or Foe?
By Tony Dean
King Ranch bluestem is an aggressive introduced bunch grass that is now common across almost all North Texas grazing lands. Although it has never been planted on most ranches in North Texas, we would be hard pressed to find pastures that did not have at least a small population of King Ranch bluestem.
When taking an autumn drive across many Texas roads, the wavy grass with the maroon seed head seen on roadsides and in pastures is usually King Ranch bluestem.
King Ranch bluestem, or KR as it is often called, is a summer perennial and can reach heights up to 48 inches. The stems bend at each node and turn upward giving the plant a wide spreading appearance if left ungrazed and allowed to mature.
The seed heads contain two to ten or more spreading branches with each branch reaching one to three inches in length. King Ranch bluestem has the ability to produce a fast growing seed stalk following grazing or mowing, which probably helps it compete with other grasses.
King Ranch bluestem is wide spread over many other areas of the world. Although there are differences of opinion concerning how this species got to the United States, most references agree that it was brought to California from China in 1917. There is some mention that it was brought to the U.S. as early as 1894. It was introduced to Angleton, Texas, in 1924 and was widely available by 1949.
To read more pick up a copy of the December 2016 NTFR issue. Call 940-872-5922 to subscribe.
One of my professors out at Texas Tech University always told us that we aren’t just raising cattle, we’re raising grass, because without grass there is no cattle business. The same applies to most livestock species and crops we seek to raise- without good land management, no good yield can grow.
To read more, pick up a copy of the November edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By Barry Whitworth, DVM, MPH
With the prolonged drought, most pastures in Oklahoma end up in poor condition. With the lack of available forage, animals may go in search of alternative foods.
If oak trees are in the pastures, acorns may be a favorite meal for some livestock in the fall. This may result in oak poisoning.
Oak leaves, twigs, buds, and acorns may be toxic to some animals when consumed.
To read more, pick up a copy of the November edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By: Tony Dean
There are a handful of grasses on North Texas grazing lands ranchers need to know, not because they are highly desirable, but rather because they are not of much value. I call them “decom” plants, which is am acronym for “Don’t Ever Count On Me.” Silver bluestem is a “decom” grass.
Silver bluestem is a perennial which grows in all areas of Texas. It can survive in almost all soil types, and in full sun conditions or in semi shade. It grows up to three feet tall and is easily recognized with the presence of the white fuzzy seed head. Also, one of the identifying characteristics of Silver bluestem is a bend in the stems at each node, causing the plants to take on a rounded shape as they mature.
To read more, pick up a copy of the November edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
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