Pasture and forages

OSU Extension helps farmers and land managers grow and maintain healthy pastures and forages through research-based guidance on species selection, grazing practices and nutrient management. We offer tools and resources to support soil health, livestock productivity and long-term pasture sustainability.

Latest Resources

Loose smut disease: What hay and grass seed producers need to know

Smut diseases pose a serious threat to hay and grass seed production, leading to yield losses, reductions in forage quality and contamination. This guide helps hay and grass seed producers learn to identify and manage the disease.

Collins Bugingo | Nov 2025 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Estimating and measuring pasture productivity

The monthly grazing capacity of a pasture can be stated as animal unit months, AUM for short. It is calculated by estimating the amount of forage an animal eats each day — 2.5% to 3% of its body weight — times 30 days.

Shelby Filley | Jul 2025 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Considerations for Managing Alfalfa Hay in the Face of Insecticide Resistance

This University of Wyoming Extension document reviews the insecticide resistance issue in alfalfa weevils and discusses results from insecticide efficacy trials.

Tyler Jones, Scott Schell, Jeremiah Vardiman | Oct 2024 | Online resource

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Introduction to Pasture and Grazing Management in Western Oregon

By Melissa Fery David B. Hannaway David Chaney Maud Powell and Garry Stephenson

Farmers and ranchers new to pasture management in the Pacific Northwest can learn the basics of establishing and maintaining a productive pasture for their livestock.

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Photo Credit: Bob - Adobe Stock (Cropped from original)

Featured Resources

How to stimulate early pasture growth and cut livestock feed cost

In parts of Oregon, pasture forage for grazing livestock is lacking early in the growing season. That forces livestock producers to rely on costly harvested forages for supplemental feed. There is another option. Research has ...

Shelby Filley, Gene Pirelli | Jan 2022 | OSU Extension Catalog

How to give your livestock the nutrients they need

The practice of matching the nutrient content of feeds with the nutrient requirements of your livestock is very important, especially if you are using feeds that you are not familiar with. Balancing rations can help keep feed ...

Shelby Filley | Nov 2021 | OSU Extension Catalog

Understanding your forage test results

Livestock producers use forage analysis as a management tool to improve livestock nutrition. Learn about the information commonly found in most laboratory forage reports: feed, protein, carbohydrates, fat, energy, ash, minerals, pH, nitrates, RFV and RFQ.

Sergio Arispe, Shelby Filley | Jun 2023 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

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Invertebrate Pest Management for Pacific Northwest Pastures

By Amy J. Dreves Navneet Kaur Mylen Bohle David B. Hannaway Glenn Fisher and Silvia I. Rondon

A well-managed pasture has several ecological and economic benefits. However, several species of arthropods (insects, mites and garden symphylans), and gastropods (slugs) inhabit pastures of the Pacific Northwest of the United States and can diminish those benefits.

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Photo Credit: Bob - Adobe Stock (Cropped from original)

Drought resources

Alfalfa irrigation during drought

Alfalfa grown for forage in the arid Northwest requires 1.8-acre feet to 3.2-acre feet of water per year, depending on length of the growing season. This drought advisory publication recommends steps producers can take when water availability is reduced.

Thomas Ley | Apr 2022 | Online resource

Managing irrigated pastures and haylands in drought

Drought (a period of limited or no water during the growing season) reduces forage production for grazing and haymaking. Prolonged drought forces livestock and hay producers to need special strategies. This document provides information about maintaining healthy perennial pastures and hayfields, reducing livestock loss due to diet, and how to improve recovery of pastures after the drought ends.

Steve Fransen, Justen Smith, and Sarah Smith | Apr 2022 | Online resource

How to manage the production and use of hay in a drought

Drought conditions have drastically reduced hay yields in the last year or two. With dry conditions forecast to continue, livestock producers need to rethink strategies for conserving forage.

Shelby Filley | Nov 2025 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Gray level)

When drought is in the forecast, start planning for livestock feed needs

When drought is in the forecast for Oregon and other states, it's time for cattle operations to start making plans to ensure they have enough feed for their herds. In times of drought, the availability of pasture and hay ...

Shelby Filley | Nov 2025 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Gray level)

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OSU Livestock & Forages E-Newsletter

Seasonal articles, announcements on educational programs and important news & notices for western Oregon producers of beef cattle, sheep and goats, plus forages to support this livestock.

This newsletter comes only in electronic form for special delivery of added material. It is written by OSU Extension faculty to bring you agricultural production information, important news and notices, and announcements on upcoming programs.

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Photo Credit: Bob - Adobe Stock (Cropped from original)

News

Warm-season crops give Western Oregon farmers food and forage options

Research highlights versatile plants that thrive in region's hotter, drier summers.

Chris Branam | Sep 9, 2025 | News story

OSU builds home for organic agriculture research and outreach

OSU Extension partnered with Oregon Tilth and the Oregon Organic Coalition to develop the organic program, which is housed in the Center for Resilient Agriculture and Food Systems in the College of Agricultural Sciences.

Chris Branam | Apr 10, 2025 | News story

Oregon hay producers benefit from OSU research and Extension

OSU has always worked to extend hay research results and best practices to producers through field days, farm visits and workshops.

Gordon B. Jones, David Hannaway, Shawn Donkin, Sam Angima | Mar 2025 | Impact story

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Upcoming Events

Jan 8

QPR Training - Saving Lives in Agriculture (in English)

3:00 pm - 4:15 pm PST Online

Jan 18

4th Annual Military Veteran Farmers Winter Gathering

11:00 am - 1:00 pm Salem, OR

Feb 9

QPR Training - Saving Lives in Agriculture (in English)

10:30 am - 11:45 am PST Online

Mar 7

Rural Living Day 2026

8:30 am - 3:00 pm Junction City, OR

Meet Our Experts

Shayan Motazedi Ghajar

Assistant Professor (Practice), Extension Organic Pasture and Forages

I focus on organic, transitioning, and low-input sustainable pasture and forage management for producers in Oregon.

Shelby Filley

Professor, Animal and Rangeland Science, Area Livestock and Forages Faculty (Emeritus)

Gordon B. Jones

Extension Agronomist

Melissa Fery

Small Farms Professor of Practice

Contact for small farm, soil and pasture management and agricultural tourism questions from Lane, Linn and Benton Counties

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What is this weed that has overtaken my pasture?

Q: This weed has overtaken my horse pasture in large amounts this year. I’m trying to identify it and I’ve come up with two possibilities but I’m not sure which one it is. Possibly hedge mustard or creeping yellowcress? ...

A: View answer | View all featured questions

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