Management of Improved Pastures for Optimal Performance

Plant Species and Variety Forage quality refers to digestible nutrient content (i.e., energy, protein), palatability and digestibility of the forage plant. Legumes (alfalfa, medics, cloves, vetch) are the highest quality group of forage grown in pastures. They are high in protein, energy (digestibility), and minerals. They also “fix” nitrogen fertilizer, making them very economical to grow. Incorporating legumes into our pastures increases forage quality, increases animal performance, and reduces pasture costs per animal. Although forage legumes can require more management than grasses, their high quality can make a big difference in animal performance even if legume production is limited. I often point out that a limited stand of legumes will be equal to feeding range cubes for cattle using dormant grass or dry hay. Legume varieties can be region and soil specific, so check with your County Extension Agent for recommended varieties and management requirements to make legume plantings successful.