By Scout Nelson
In the Flint Hills of Kansas, summer cattle roundups have evolved significantly, driven by changes in rangeland management practices. Traditionally, cattle grazed on lush, fast-growing, high-protein pastures for the full season, approximately five months.
This method often involved turning lightweight cattle, often steers, out onto the pastures in late April, adhering to stringent stocking rates to avoid overgrazing and ensure sufficient prairie growth.
Cattle were typically grazed throughout the summer and gathered in late September or early October, with profitability determined by the cattle's weight gains. Different operators had varied goals, but a gain of three pounds per day was often seen as a profitable benchmark.
However, ranchers began to recognize that full-season grazing did not allow enough time for grasslands to recover. Grazing into the ground left little grass and weak root systems, which struggled to recover by the next season, especially with autumn's reduced growth conditions.
Range management specialists responded by developing an intensive early stocking program. This method revolutionized both the grazing calendar and ranch cash flow.
Unlike the traditional 150-day season with a stocking rate of around four acres per animal, intensive early stocking capitalizes on the period of greatest grass quality, which is the early part of the season. After mid-July, grass quality declines as nutrients transfer to the roots.
By doubling or even tripling traditional stocking rates, cattle are ready for feedlots after just 90 days of grazing. Studies found this intensive approach produced an additional 35 pounds of beef per acre.
Consequently, many ranches shifted to intensive early grazing, moving cattle off grass by July, allowing prairies ample time to recover for the next year.
This shift in practice explains why summer cattle roundups have become more common. Intensive early stocking not only boosts beef production but also ensures healthier grasslands, leading to more sustainable and profitable grazing operations.
The adoption of this method has transformed the cattle ranching landscape in the Flint Hills, providing both ecological and economic benefits.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-ahavelaar
Categories: Kansas, Livestock