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Grazing North Texas — Canada Wildrye
By Tony Dean
Across North Texas grazing lands, we are blessed to have a few species of perennial winter grazing plants as part of our native forage.
These grasses and forbs are important because they furnish green grazing and substantial protein during winter and early spring months when the summer grasses are at their lowest.
Crude protein value for Canada wildrye in April, for leaves only, is 14 percent, while protein for leaves and stems from winter into spring runs 7 to 9.5 percent.
Canada wildrye produces leaves up to three-quarters of an inch wide and five to 12 inches long. It can grow up to 48 inches in height and reproduces from seed or tillering.
Seedhead is a tight spike four to nine inches long that begins to curve or nod as it reaches maturity.
This curved seedhead distinguishes Canada wildrye from Virginia wildrye which has an upright seedhead.
Canada wildrye is very palatable and is sought after by all classes of livestock. Forage value for deer and antelope is fair with new tender leaves being selected. Seed value for game and songbirds is low.
To read more pick up a copy of the July 2018 NTFR issue. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.28
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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