Wildlife Program Is Saving Grace For Livestock Producers

NRCS Soil Conservationist Technician Chad Tweed examines a big bluestem hayfield in Washington County used for hay production.

Many livestock producers across Tennessee are experiencing negative effects from a severe shortage of rain. The drought has affected just about all crops that producers need to operate a farm. This is especially true for those who depend on a summer hay crop to feed livestock during the harsh winter months. Many producers are contemplating selling livestock to reduce the need for hay this winter.

Cool season grass hay production has been greatly reduced for much of the state due to a cold spring and dry summer. One of the disadvantages of cool season grasses is that these grasses are not as productive in the dryer months. Adversely warm season grasses are the more productive plants in the summer months, thus the name “warm season grasses”. Production is optimal in June and July for native warm season grass species (NWSG) such as switchgrass, eastern gammagrass, big bluestem, and indiangrass.

Many producers have Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) contracts with acres enrolled as a warm season grass planting. If a producer has planted the NWSG in 2005 or prior years, then the acreage is eligible to be harvested for hay! This is an option that many participants may not be aware is available to them. According to Robin Mayberry, NRCS Area Biologist, “Native warm season grass stands may be harvested once per year, beginning with the third growing season. NWSG stands may only be harvested between July 1st and August 15th.” If a producer wants to cut the NWSG hay, it should be cut at a height of eight- to ten-inch stubble remaining. This will ensure that the plant will not be stressed by over-harvesting.

If producers in your county have acreage in the WHIP program that they would like to hay, please have them contact the local NRCS Field Office for recommendations and more specific information. They can also find out more online at http://www.tn.nrcs.usda.gov