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Grazing North Texas
By Tony Dean
The grama family of grasses is very important in North Texas grazing lands. In this issue of NTFR, we will get to know one of the more desirable members in this family. Blue grama is a low growing perennial bunch grass. Leaves can grow up to 3/16” wide and from two to four inches long. Multiple stems grow eight to sixteen inches tall and usually have two comb-like spikelets per stem, although each stem can hold up to four spikelets. These spikelets can grow up to 2 inches long with seeds tightly packed on each spikelet. The spikelets often become slightly curved and resemble an eyelash.
Blue grama is more resistant to heavy grazing than some of the more desirable taller grasses.
This can allow it to remain in the pasture for a longer period of time under heavy grazing use. It grows well in a variety of soils and usually seeds out later in the summer than its cousin, Hairy grama. To read more pick up the February issue of NTFR.
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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