June 17, 2002
Livestock Producers Grazing CRP Acres Have Much To Consider
LINCOLN, Neb. — The release of Conservation Reserve Program acres provides additional potential grazing for livestock this summer as drought conditions stunt pasture growth across central and western Nebraska, a University of Nebraska forage specialist said.
As of Monday (June 17) CRP grazing has been approved for 21 counties because of the drought emergency and more counties are applying to graze CRP land.
However, before producers decide to move their cattle or sheep to CRP acres, they must consider whether the grass's nutrient value and the extra cost of supplements is worth their time and effort, said Bruce Anderson, NU forage specialist.
"Producers need to evaluate what kind of feed will be available on the CRP land," Anderson said. "Substantial buildup of old, dead material of extremely low quality and low nutrient value may not even be worth grazing for some animals."
Fresh growth of CRP grass this year has been stunted by the drought just like it has in other pastures and hay fields, he said.
Cows with young calves, replacement heifers or any other growing livestock are best kept away from CRP land and instead fed hay, moved into a feedlot or sold, he said.
"The nutrient requirement of these animals is so high relative to what CRP's old growth can supply that they would need a full feed of supplements to support them anyhow," Anderson said. CRP acres also may lack adequate fences or water.
CRP pasture can be used most effectively by mature animals, including cows or ewes after weaning.
"You still might need to supplement to a small degree, but not nearly as much as with younger animals," he said.
When grazing during a drought, producers also need to avoid serious damage to grassland, Anderson said.
"If that happens, recovery from a drought once rains begin may take years and years to finally get back to productive conditions compared to a fairly fast recovery if we don't overuse what little resource we have out there," he said.
Unless drought-stricken counties see significant rain, livestock owners that still have pasture may run out by midsummer, Anderson said.
In this case, producers will have to feed their herds expensive hay or sell them.
Although eastern Nebraska grazing lands are holding their own, there isn't much moisture in reserve, Anderson said.
An extended period of hot and dry weather could change pasture conditions in a hurry, he said.
As of June17, counties released for CRP grazing include: Arthur, Banner, Box Butte, Chase, Cheyenne, Deuel, Dundy, Frontier, Garden, Greeley, Hayes, Hitchcock, Keith, Kimball, Lincoln, McPherson, Morrill, Perkins, Red Willow, Scotts Bluff and Sioux.
For more information on grazing CRP acres, contact a local county Farm Service Agency office.
06/17/02-SA
Bruce Anderson - Ph.D
Agronomy
Professor
(402) 472-6237
Sandi Alswager Karstens IANR News and Photography (402) 472-3030
Department: Agronomy & Horticulture
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