Grazing Systems for Humid Regions

Perennial pastures are grown on over 82 million acres in humid regions of the USA, with 75% in the South. They are grown mainly on land not well suited for grain, oilseed, or fiber crops and are the major source of nutrients for beef cattle, dry dairy cows, sheep, and horses. Dairy cattle are maintained almost entirely on stored feed to achieve higher production per animal, although at higher cost than on pasture. Only about 10 to 20% of most humid area pastures have fair to good legume stands, so N fertilization is widely used. Although the potential productivity of humid pastures is much higher than that of natural grasslands, it is seldom realized. Some problems are large fluctuations in forage availability and nutritive quality, poor legume persistence, and anti‐quality components. Recent developments to improve humid grassland productivity include more summer‐productive grasses in the North; winter‐productive types in the South; controlled grazing; and legumes with greater tolerance to diseases, continuous grazing, and soil acidity. Elimination of a toxic fungal endophyte in tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) has the potential to increase animal gains from 30 to over 100%. Plant breeding also has reduced harmful agents in reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.), sericea lespedeza [Lespedeza cuneata (Dum‐Cours) G. Don], and such tropical grasses as bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] and dwarf elephantgrass [Pennisetum purpureum (L.) Schum.] to improve animal performance.