Some stocker operators consider themselves beef cattle raisers. Others consider themselves grass farmers. Either way, they are stewards of the land, raising beef safely and sustainably. But how do they determine the best grass for cattle? There is definitely a science and art behind it.
Selecting the best grass for cattle grazing is crucial in achieving optimal weight gain, nutritional balance and overall herd health. The right forage ensures cattle receive the necessary energy, protein and fiber while maintaining soil fertility and pasture sustainability. Several factors, like climate, soil type, cattle breed and grazing management, play a role in determining the best grass for beef cattle.
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Our mission: undeniable positive impact on the health and wellness of your animals and your business.
Best Grass for Cattle to Graze
When it comes to grazing, you want your cattle to gain and perform. That’s why the Gain Smart team created this blog. Grasses come in two different categories: cool-season and warm-season. Let’s determine the best grass for cattle from each of these types.
Cool-Season Grasses
Cool-season grasses are ideal for grazing cattle in geographies with moderate to cold winters and mild summers. These grasses thrive in spring and fall cooler months, providing high-quality forage. Using a mix of cool-season grasses can extend grazing periods, improve forage quality and increase pasture resilience. Rotational grazing and proper fertilization further enhance the productivity of these grasses. They typically go dormant during the summer heat and winter.
Tall Fescue
- Pros: Highly productive, tolerant of heavy grazing, drought-resistant, and grows well in poor soils.
- Cons: Some varieties contain endophyte fungus, which can cause fescue toxicosis in cattle.
- Best Uses: Grazing and hay production.
- Management Tips: Use novel endophyte or endophyte-free varieties for better cattle performance.
Orchardgrass
- Pros: Highly palatable, excellent regrowth after grazing and good nutrient content.
- Cons: Sensitive to overgrazing and does not tolerate prolonged drought well.
- Best Uses: Pasture and hay.
- Management Tips: Maintain a grazing height above 3 inches to encourage regrowth and longevity.
Perennial Ryegrass
- Pros: Highly digestible, excellent nutrient content and fast regrowth.
- Cons: Less winter-hardy than other cool-season grasses and susceptible to drought.
- Best Uses: Short-term pastures or rotational grazing systems.
- Management Tips: Best suited for high-moisture climates; overseeding can help maintain stand density.
Timothy Grass
- Pros: Highly palatable with excellent forage quality, especially in early growth.
- Cons: Poor drought resistance and does not tolerate continuous grazing well.
- Best Uses: Primarily used for hay but can be included in pastures.
- Management Tips: Avoid overgrazing and allow sufficient regrowth between grazing rotations.
Bromegrass
- Pros: Deep-rooted and drought-resistant, provides high-quality forage and has a long grazing season.
- Cons: Slow establishment and can become sod-bound over time.
- Best Uses: Grazing and hay.
- Management Tips: Rotate grazing to prevent overuse and maintain productivity.
Kentucky Bluegrass
- Pros: High-quality forage, excellent palatability and withstands heavy grazing.
- Cons: Low yield compared to other cool-season grasses and slow to establish.
- Best Uses: Continuous grazing pastures.
- Management Tips: Best mixed with higher-yielding grasses like orchardgrass or fescue for optimal pasture productivity.
Warm-Season Grasses
Warm-season grasses are best suited for regions with hot summers and provide forage during periods when cool-season grasses decline. They thrive in the heat and typically bloom or grow in late spring throughout the summer.
Bermuda Grass
- Pros: High productivity, drought-tolerant with excellent growth and withstands heavy grazing pressure.
- Cons: It requires frequent fertilization for the best outcomes and can become invasive in some areas.
- Best Uses: Intensive grazing and hay production.
- Management Tips: Responds well to rotational grazing situations.
Bahiagrass
- Pros: Low maintenance forage with moderate nutritional quality, tolerates acidic, sandy and nutrient-poor soils.
- Cons: Also, a low-quality forage and slow to establish.
- Best Uses: Continuous grazing in low-maintenance pastures.
- Management Tips: Mix with legumes like clover for improved nutrition and better for cow-calf operations.
Switchgrass
- Pros: Drought tolerant, high-yielding grass that adapts to various soil types
- Cons: Gets stemmy if not managed well and needs to be controlled grazing for optimum quality.
- Best Uses: Erosion control, grazing and hay.
- Management Tips: Utilize rotational grazing to maintain plant health or harvest before seedhead formation for best forage quality.
Big Bluestem
- Pros: High nutritional value, deep-rooted and drought-resistant.
- Cons: Slow to establish.
- Best Uses: Native pasture restoration, rotational grazing.
- Management Tips: Utilize rotational grazing to prevent overgrazing; it is best mixed with other grasses.
Considerations When Selecting the Best Grass for Cattle
You should consider several factors when selecting the best grass for cattle grazing. You need to consider your climate, length of growing days, soil type and the forages available in your area. Let’s explore the factors you need to think through before making a final choice about the best grass for cattle on your operation.
1. Climate & Regional Suitability
Grass species vary in their adaptability to different climatic conditions. We’ve already discussed the primary categories which include:
- Cool-season grasses: Thrive in temperate regions and grow best during spring and fall.
- Warm-season grasses: Prefer hot climates and display peak growth in summer.
For example, Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue are excellent for cooler climates, whereas Bermuda grass and bahiagrass perform well in warmer regions.
2. Soil Type & Fertility
Different grass species have specific soil preferences regarding pH, drainage and fertility levels. Conducting a soil test before planting helps determine which grasses will succeed in a given area. Key considerations include:
- pH levels: Most grasses grow best in soils with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
- Drainage: Some grasses, like orchard grass, require well-drained soils, whereas bahiagrass can tolerate wetter conditions.
- Nutrient content: Grasses need adequate nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium to sustain growth and nutritional quality. Furthermore, the grasses transmit those nutrients to the grazing animals.
3. Nutritional Profile & Digestibility
The best grasses should provide the essential nutrients required for growth and weight gain. Key nutritional factors include:
- Crude protein content: Ideally, 10-15% for growing cattle.
- Fiber digestibility: Highly digestible fiber improves energy intake.
- Mineral content: Adequate calcium, phosphorus and magnesium levels prevent deficiencies.
You can incorporate legumes, like clover and alfalfa, into pastures to boost protein levels and improve forage quality.
4. Palatability & Grazing Behavior
Cattle prefer particular grasses based on taste and texture. Increased palatability encourages consistent grazing and prevents selective feeding. Tall fescue, for example, is less palatable due to endophyte toxicity, while cattle typically prefer Bermuda grass and ryegrass.
5. Growth & Regrowth Characteristics
The ability of a grass species to recover after grazing is vital for sustainable pasture management. Grasses with vigorous regrowth, such as ryegrass and Bermuda grass, provide continuous forage supply and reduce the risk of overgrazing.
Implementing a Grazing Management Strategy
Implementing proper grazing management techniques is essential to maximize pasture efficiency and cattle performance.
Rotational Grazing
This method involves dividing pastures into sections and rotating cattle among them. Benefits include:
- Improved forage regrowth
- Reduced soil erosion and compaction
- Enhanced manure distribution
Stocking Density & Forage Availability
Maintaining an optimal stocking rate ensures that cattle have enough forage without overgrazing. The recommended rate varies based on pasture productivity and grass species. If you are unsure about the stocking rate in your area, contact your local University extension office for advice.
Pasture Renovation & Reseeding
Periodic overseeding or renovating pastures with improved grass varieties maintains forage quality and productivity.
Seasonal Adjustments
Managing seasonal variations in forage availability is essential. Supplementing warm-season pastures with cool-season grasses or stored forages ensures a year-round feed supply.
Don’t Forget the Vitamins & Minerals
Regardless of what kind of pasture you determine has the best grass for cattle grazing, your calves need a balanced vitamin and mineral pack. Even the best grass doesn’t offer all the nutrients that your herd needs.
That’s how Gain Smart can help!
Gain Smart is the Preferred Vitamin & Mineral Supplement for Cattle on Grass
Providing access to vitamin and mineral supplements are essential for maintaining overall health and supporting optimal growth in cattle. Ensure that cattle have access to a balanced mineral mix containing essential nutrients such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and trace minerals.
Gain Smart® is a line of vitamin and mineral supplements for stocker cattle that promotes healthy, economical pounds. Gain Smart offers 4 different free-choice vitamin and mineral supplement formulas to fit any feeding scenario. All formulas consist of the following:
- AO-Biotics® Amaferm®, a prebiotic research-proven to enhance digestibility.
- Include organic copper, iodine and zinc for maximum bioavailability and hoof health.
- Provide nutritional support for a healthy immune system.
The 4 Gain Smart formulas for stocker cattle include:
- Gain Smart Stocker, designed to maximize efficient gain.
- Gain Smart Stocker Wheat, designed to maximize efficient gain on wheat or small grain pasture.
- Gain Smart Stocker HEAT®, designed to maximize efficient gain when temperatures exceed 70 degrees Fahrenheit. It contains HEAT technology, a combination of essential oils and garlic, to support animals when heat and insects are a challenge.
- Gain Smart Stocker Balancer RU1600 maximizes efficient gain and balances high-grain diets when mixing TMR rations. It includes rumensin for improved feed efficiency.
Get Your Gain Smart Today
As winter gives way to spring, choosing the best grass for cattle becomes even more top of mind. No matter what type of grass your cattle are grazing, put Gain Smart to work for you!
Gain Smart is available at any of our local authorized BioZyme Dealers.
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