Arkansas Pastures & Forages Management

Overview

• Arkansas has approximately 6 million acres of forage, with 1.5 million acres dedicated to hayland and 4.5 million acres to pasture.
• Forages are essential for feeding cattle, horses, small ruminants, and wildlife.

Key Forages in Arkansas

• Primary Forages: Tall fescue, bermudagrass.
• Other Forages: Annual ryegrass, various clover species, small grains.

Soil and Forage Productivity

• Forage productivity varies widely due to diverse soil types:
  • Northern Ozarks: Limestone and chert-based soils.
  • Ouachita Mountains: Shale/sandstone derived soils.
  • South Arkansas: Gulf Coastal Plain soils.
  • Eastern Arkansas: Delta soils.

Seasonal Forage Management

• Cool Season Forages: Prevalent in north Arkansas and the Ouachita Mountains.

  • Includes tall fescue, clover.
  • Dominant in spring and fall, dormant in summer.

• Warm Season Forages: Dominant in southern Arkansas.

  • Includes bermudagrass, bahiagrass.
  • Actively grows in the summer, dormant in spring and fall.

Forage Systems

• May include pasture, hay, silage, crop residues.
• Grazing is the most economical method.
• Machine harvesting for hay or silage adds expense but provides flexibility.

Types of Forages

• Spring & Fall Forages:

  • Cool-season grasses and legumes (e.g., red and white clover).
  • Winter annual grasses like annual ryegrass, wheat.
  • Legumes like alfalfa, hairy vetch.

• Summer Forages:

  • Warm-season grasses (e.g., bermudagrass, bahiagrass).
  • Annual grasses like crabgrass, millet.
  • Native grasses for wildlife (e.g., big bluestem).

Pasture Plant Identification

• Grasses: Base for hay fields (e.g., tall fescue, bermudagrass).
• Legumes: Improve forage quality (e.g., clovers, alfalfa).
• Weeds/Forbs: Some useful for wildlife; others limited as forage.
• Woody Plants: Include shrubs, useful but less valuable than mature trees.

Resources

• Forages ID Database
• Pasture Plant Identification Photo Library

Contact

• Dr. Jonathan Kubesch: Assistant Professor - Forages
  • Phone: (501) 671-2270
  • Email: [email protected]

Additional Information

• Extension resources offer guides on forage management, grazing strategies, and hay production.
• Various platforms for further learning and updates: Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and more.

This summary provides a concise overview of pasture and forage management in Arkansas, highlighting the importance of diverse soil types, seasonal strategies, and the variety of forages available across the state.