According to Kansas State University Beef Cattle Nutritionist Phillip Lancaster, proper management of grazing pastures remains key to herd nutrition. Stocking rate should be a focus of every beef producer, remaining the most crucial part of a grazing plan. Lancaster suggests producers lean conservative when it comes to stocking rates to avoid overgrazing and damaging grass.

Well-managed pastures with healthy, productive grasses can allow producers to expand their grazing season into fall, reducing their winter feed bill. According to Lancaster, effective grazing management should both maximize the production of forage and manage how cattle use that forage.

Read more on grazing management here.