What makes a great pasture manager? A great pasture manager is one who pays attention to the details and realizes the first step of pasture management is the "plan." The great pasture managers I know "plan the work and work the plan."

Great pasture managers pay attention to changes in the pastures and scout their fields regularly to remain aware of conditions that will impact forage production. Successful managers remain aware of what is happening in each of their pastures and how weather, events and their actions will impact the operation's goals and objectives. I encourage you to get out of your truck and walk across each of your pastures. Know the terrain, locate problem areas and plan your strategy accordingly.

So how does one plan for warm-season pasture management? Warm-season native grass pasture or rangeland managers realize that herbicide and fertilizer are often not economically viable and closely watch the stocking rate to ensure that overgrazing does not occur. While grazing management is the primary tool for rangeland managers, prescribed burning can be the second. A well prepared and executed burn plan can result in improved forage production and quality while reducing weed and brush intrusion in rangeland pastures. It is important for rangeland managers to manage the different forages present in their pastures to meet their operational goals.

To read the entire article, link here.