pastures

Southern Plains Bison Pointers Dec 2017

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Funky Fall = Management Curve Ball   The southern plains can be lush and green this time of year for those that get busy in the fall with planting winter feed and providing a normally very happy November for their herds. I always say that the buffalo in the Dakotas surely must pace the fence this time of year and ask, ‘how are we supposed to get to Texas?’ Not this year! We missed all the rain with timing to yield winter grazing, and when it finally came – too late – the daylight hours were wrong for causing germination.  … Read more

Perennial Pastures and Prairie Forbs

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Prairies/pastures are more than just grass, but actually an entire community of diverse broadleaf wildflowers as well. Several of these happen to provide excellent forage for bison. Quite a few native legumes such as purple or white prairie clover, Illinois bundleflower and daleas contribute nitrogen to the soil and serve as high protein fodder. Perennial sunflowers and goldenrods are commonly observed and nutritionally important to grazers. Compassplant is a personal favorite of mine. Of course, pollinators are definite fans of the wildflowers. There are literally hundreds of valuable native American broadleaf species available for beneficial uses. Ben Tyler,