Equine news, winter 2012

              Winter 2012
OSU Equine News is a newsletter prepared quarterly by Dr. David Freeman, OSU Extension Equine Specialist, Department of Animal Science. (Reprint of articles
is allowed for noncommercial uses; please indicate source as OSU Equine News.) Contact: david.freeman@okstate.edu
Spring Pastures Approaching
David Freeman
OSU Extension Equine Specialist
Hard to imaging that spring is just a few months away. The relatively mild winter and the recent moisture in many
areas of Oklahoma have been the saving grace of many who are trying to afford feeding of our horses. Even so,
those of us feeding hay can’t have spring arrive quickly enough. Even if you were one of the lucky or smarter ones
to have purchased hay last summer, chances are that your supply is dwindling fast. T
he long-term effect of forage production on our pastures still can’t be predicted. If another summer of drought and
record breaking temperature occurs in 2012, we can expect even less supply of affordable forage than 2011. If
moisture continues and temperatures are more toward the norm, we can expect a rebound of pasture forage.
However, even if we do receive a reprieve from the drought, we still have lingering issues that need addressed.
􀂚􉨠 As overgrazing of pastures is likely more prevalent than normal, expect weeds to be a big problem. While weed
control may be handled partially with grazing, it will likely be a year that herbicide will be necessary. There are
a lot of particulars about how best to apply herbicides in terms of timing, amounts and chemicals, so it is best
to get advice from those familiar with conditions in your locale. Cooperative Extension Educators spend a lot of
their spring answering questions about weed control, fertilization and pasture management. As a general rule
of thumb, herbicide treatment needs applied prior to fertilization of desirable grass species so you aren’t wast-ing
fertilizer for growth of weeds. Most commonly used types of herbicides in pastures are spray on ‘post
emergence’ of weedy plants.
􀂚􉨠 Fertilization should be directed by a soil test. Even if you haven’t yet, most will advise that is never too late for
a soil test. If you follow advice for sampling, soil tests accurately report the best ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus
and potassium and the best application rates for the type of forage. Timing and rate of fertilizer are critical,
and you will find differing opinions based on what your production goals for forage. A simple answer as to
when is it best to fertilize is just prior to a good rain, and at the time of year that the desired plant can use fer-tilizer
for growth. Too early in the year, the intended grass may not be actively growing. Too little a rate and
production goals won’t be received. Too much may result in too much forage too soon, or simply a waste of
money.
􀂚􉨠 Grazing management will be more important than ever. Overgrazed pastures need relief from grazing. Plants
should be allowed to recover from dormancy and overgrazing for several weeks during the early part of the
growing season. Relief will allow for plants to grow beyond the initial stages of growth which is when the plant
is most susceptible to harm from grazing and when needs are heightened for establishing root growth. Al-though
many of the pastures for horses are small and stocked heavily, which makes relief from grazing of pas-tures
difficult, those that can manage grazing will receive much more return on input costs and much more to-tal
forage production for the growing season. Even with a great turnaround of moisture and growing condi-tions,
the effects of last year will have an affect on grass production. So, if you have small acreage and you
haven’t yet considered rotational grazing during the growing season, this year may be the spring and summer
to implement such practices.
So, even though the above may not be novel to most, it is time to consider what you are able to do for pasture re-covery,
and develop a plan that fits your condition. You can also expect hay to be in short supply this summer, and
for prices to remain more characteristic of this past year as compared to years previous.