Pasture and Forages

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 | Article

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 | Article

Understanding Your Forage Test Results

Assists livestock producers in using forage analysis as a management tool to improve livestock nutrition. Explains 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 | Nov 2016 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

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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 | Feb 2022 | Article

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 | Jun 2021 | Article

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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)

Latest Resources

Orchardgrass grazing timelapse video

This video demonstrates effect of cutting height on regrowth of orchardgrass.

Ray Smith, Laura Schwer | Jan 2023 | Online resource

Fertilization of Meadow Foxtail Dominated Flood Meadows

Flood meadows are an extremely important forage resource for beef cattle and hay producers. This publication summarizes research was conducted to determine the most appropriate level of nitrogen fertilization to economically increase forage yield in flood meadows dominated by meadow foxtail.

David Bohnert, Ray Angel, Ron Torell | Sep 2019 | Article Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Grazing Management of Improved Pastures

Improving pastures and grazing management systems will result in more, higher quality feed produced. This article steps through a series of grazing management considerations for improving forage production and quality of improved pastures.

Amy Peters | Jan 2019 | Article 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

Troublesome grasshopper infestations in Klamath County addressed by OSU Extension outreach

Ian McGregor, Oregon State University Extension Service livestock faculty and assistant professor in the College of Agricultural Sciences, organized a grasshopper outreach event for landowners, public land managers and agency employees.

Ian McGregor | Apr 2022 | Impact story

Online course extends reach of OSU Extension Land Steward Program

In 2021, the Land Steward Program expanded to 18 counties led by five regional OSU Extension instructors.

Kym Pokorny | Feb 4, 2022 | News story

Extension helps get hay to those in need after September wildfires

Nearly 500 tons of hay were distributed throughout the affected areas during the month of October when need was imperative for feeding hungry animals.

Jenifer Cruickshank | Mar 2021 | Impact story

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Beef Cattle

Horses

Sheep and Goats

Integrated Pest Management

Weeds

Irrigation

Upcoming Events

Mar 8

Resilient Pastures: Pasture Management in Drought Conditions

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm PST Online

Mar 16

QPR Suicide Prevention Training for the Agricultural Industry (in English)

9:00 am - 10:30 am PDT Online

Mar 16

Entrenamiento sobre la prevención del suicidio de QPR para agricultores y ganaderos (en español)

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm PDT Online

May 10

QPR Suicide Prevention Training for the Agricultural Industry (in English)

3:30 pm - 5:00 pm PDT Online

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

Regional Livestock & Forages

Guojie Wang

Assistant Professor, Forage Agronomist

Ian McGregor

Assistant Professor, Livestock & Irrigation, Open Campus Coordinator, Klamath County

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How to manage Tansy Ragwort?

Q: We have wheat planted and along our fence line we have an infestation of tansy ragwort. Is it a good time to cut the flowers off, bag them, and leave the plant; or should I spray it? The neighbor across the road has...

A: View answer | View all featured questions

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