As hunters, we all know the struggle between cattle farmers and hunters. When the goals and understanding of pasture management and wildlife are discussed, the tension can be broken. Just having cool-season grasses for livestock is very unproductive. The amount of productive growing degree days is limited when you have only cool-season forage present in your fields. You are able to have way more productive pastures and land when you have diverse plantings!
When you add legumes to your common grasses like fescue and smooth brome, it improves the attractiveness and forage that is available to whitetail deer. By planting species such as red clover, alfalfa, and white clover to your common pasture fields, you increase the forage benefits to the wildlife and cattle.
There are also many fall annual crops that can be planted by drilling or broadcasting into your traditional hayfields or after they have been grazed heavily or once the final cutting of hay has been done for the year. Be sure not to overlook the benefit that open acres on your hunting property have even if you have livestock on it, as well. We encourage you to listen to this week's podcast to learn how to balance livestock and wildlife on your property!
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