Tag: pasture management
Get back to the basics when restoring weed-infested hay fields
Struggling with heavily weed-infested hay fields? Ohio State Extension educator John Yost breaks down the essential basics for successful field restoration—from soil testing and seed-to-soil contact to working backward from frost dates to build a realistic reseeding timeline.
Stock density vs. stocking rate: What’s the difference?
What is the difference between stock density and stocking rate? Ohio State University Extension Educator Josh Winters breaks down these essential grazing management concepts, explains how to calculate animal units, and shows how a grazing stick helps measure dry matter for optimal pasture output.
How an Ohio farmer delayed hay harvest to save nesting bobolinks
After learning that early hay harvest destroys bobolink nests, Jefferson County farmer Adam Costarella delayed cutting until July. By adjusting his grazing and haymaking schedule, he helped restore habitat for these long-distance migratory birds on his eastern Ohio farm.
Could a GPS collar replace a roll of wire? Exploring remote...
Remote grazing technologies like virtual fencing and GPS livestock tracking offer potential labor savings and better pasture management. Learn the key benefits, costs, and connectivity challenges producers must consider before adopting precision livestock tools on their farm from Ohio State Extension's Heather Neikirk.
Virtual fencing expands opportunities for western Pa. beef farm
Pennsylvania's Kolehmainen Cattle Company is using GPS collars and virtual fencing to streamline rotational grazing across 800 acres. Discover how smart technology saves time, opens up cover crops for grazing, and advances farm conservation in Enon Valley.
How virtual fencing is simplifying rotational grazing for farmers
Rotational grazing boosts pasture health and extends grazing seasons, but infrastructure costs can hold many farmers back. Monroe SWCD's Wyatt Feldner talks in this week's Dirt on Conservation column about how virtual fencing technology uses solar GPS collars and smartphone apps to easily manage livestock boundaries without building internal fences.
Summer pasture management: Tips to protect forage and extend grazing
As summer temperatures rise, cool-season grasses slow down. Dylan Stine of the Tuscarawas Soil and Water Conservation District offers practical advice on slowing down livestock rotations, stockpiling fescue for winter, and keeping summer weeds in check to maximize your forage.
3 strategies to overcome summer grazing challenges
Struggling with weeds, overgrazing or the midsummer pasture slump? Sandra Trushel of Ohio State University Extension outlines how to use flexible rotational grazing to break selective grazing cycles, fight weeds, and protect your grass through dry July and August weather.
What you can do to revive worn-out hay stands
Weather patterns left Ohio’s 2026 first-cutting grass hay short and low-yielding. If your long-term hay fields are struggling, OSU's Garth Ruff discusses how managing soil fertility, planning a late-summer reseeding or even transitioning the land to grazing can help maximize your returns.
Do you know what’s really growing in your pasture?
Recent droughts and unpredictable weather have given pasture weeds an advantage. Ohio State University Extension educator Ted Wiseman explains how to evaluate your fields, use targeted weed control, and implement smart grazing practices to rebuild a healthy, resilient stand of forage.
