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Grazing North Texas – Wilman Lovegrass
By Tony Dean
Wilman lovegrass is an introduced grass that is earning a place for itself in North Texas grazing lands. As with several other introduced grasses, it originated in South Africa, but appears to have found a home with area ranchers.
Wilman was first planted in the US in 1962 at the Soil Conservation Service Plant Materials Center in Tucson, Arizona. Early testing indicated that the grass showed excellent seedling germination and vigor and these early observations have proven true. Seed became commercially available in 1972.
Wilman lovegrass was originally considered a short-lived perennial and it was anticipated that it would be subject to winter kill in North Texas. The Natural Resources Conservation Service recommended that it only be used in seed mixes with other grasses rather than in pure stands due to this issue. NRCS still advises producers to be aware of lack of cold tolerance.
In periods of extreme weather conditions in North Texas there has been some loss of this grass along with other introduced plants like Kleingrass. In some cases, fields with partial winter kill on these species have reestablished themselves with good grazing management.
To read more pick up a copy of the March 2017 NTFR issue. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.
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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