Many livestock producers in North Dakota are facing forage shortages due to drought and/or cool spring temperatures. Currently, 8.79% of the state is experiencing some level of drought, and 23.41% is abnormally dry.
North Dakota State University (NDSU) Extension specialists are offering considerations for supplemental forage during drought and dry conditions.
North Dakota grasslands are dominated by cool-season grasses; as a result, about 80% of forage growth occurs due to precipitation occurring from April through June. Unfortunately, only a few isolated locations received normal or above-normal precipitation during this period.
Many areas that received normal or above-normal precipitation may still experience decreased forage production, as much of the precipitation occurred after cool-season forages had reached the seedhead stage. As in much of the state, cool-season forages matured early this year due to a combination of cold and drought stress. Once grasses produce a seed head, there is limited potential for the plant to produce additional biomass. If plants were grazed in the vegetative stage, there is still potential for regrowth with recent precipitation.
Ranchers who have tame grass pastures or hay land should expect at least a 25% reduction in forage production, regardless of where they are located in the state.
“In the southwest, southeast and west-central regions, tame grass production will be 50% at best,” said Miranda Meehan, NDSU Extension livestock environmental stewardship specialist and disaster education coordinator; however, some producers may not have adequate production to justify haying.
Recent rains may benefit native rangeland, as some grass species were in the vegetative stage. Producers in much of the state should expect 70-80% of normal production on native pastures. In the southwest and west-central, and potentially southeast, forage production on pasture will be 50% of normal at best.
This reduction in forage production will shorten the grazing season, necessitating its end by mid- to late-summer unless livestock are destocked. To account for the deficit in forage production, producers will need to adjust their management plans to provide supplemental forage and/or reduce their herds’ forage requirements.
“If you have a rotational grazing system in place, this negative impact could be much less,” said Kevin Sedivec, NDSU Extension rangeland management specialist.
Annual forages can be a source of additional livestock feed if adequate moisture occurs to support growth. At this point in the growing season, the best options for hay are warm-season grasses.
“We recommend foxtail millet, if available,” said Meehan, “using Siberian millet to the west and German millet in the central and eastern regions.”
Meehan says the next best option is sudangrass and sorghum-sudangrass; however, there is a higher potential for prussic acid toxicity under drought stress.
If the intent is to establish an annual forage for grazing, Meehan and Sedivec recommend planting a diverse cover crop mix that includes both cool-season and warm-season species.
“This will increase the chance of establishment and reduce the overall risk of a total failed crop,” said Sedivec. “A diverse cover crop will also have the potential to produce a higher-quality forage with lower risk of toxicity.”
In some areas, drought has adversely affected crops, resulting in thin stands and potentially low yields. If crops are not harvestable, there may be the opportunity to use them for hay or grazing. Caution is required, as drought-stressed crops can be toxic.
The most common toxicity is nitrate toxicity, which is common in most small grains and corn. Failed crops should be tested for nitrates before feeding to livestock.
Given the severity of this drought in many areas, producers will likely need to combine these strategies while reducing stocking rates through culling and/or early weaning. Visit with a local NDSU Extension agent to develop strategies to reduce livestock forage demand. — NDSU Extension
