Grazing in Michiana
As the days shorten and temperatures dip in northern Indiana and southern Michigan, planning for winter feed becomes more than just a task—it becomes a lifeline for your livestock. Stockpiling forage in this region means letting cool-season grasses and legumes grow undisturbed into late fall, providing your herd with fresh forages when other pastures lie dormant under early frosts.
Begin by walking each field with purpose. Note whether tall fescue, orchardgrass, clover or other forages dominate your pasture, then measure canopy height and density at 10 to 20 random spots per acre using a simple grazing stick or a yardstick. In several spots, clip small quadrats of about .1 square meters, dry those samples, and calculate pounds of dry matter per acre so you know exactly how much feed you're starting with.
Finally, pull your most recent soil test results. The pH, phosphorus and potassium values will tell you whether a late-season nitrogen application is both effective and economical in our clay-rich soils.
With that inventory in hand, the next step is forecasting how much additional growth you can expect before the typical first frost in mid- to late-October. According to Michigan State University Extension, most cool-season forages will add 30 to 45 pounds of dry matter per acre per day during mid-September to early-November window. Multiply your acreage by your best estimate of daily growth rate and then by the number of frost-free days remaining before you plan to graze.
For example, on a five-acre field growing at 35 pounds of dry matter per acre per day for 60 days, you can expect roughly 10,500 pounds of winter forage.
Boosting that growth often pays dividends. Applying 30 to 40 pounds of nitrogen per acre in late August encourages fall tillering and leaf production, while mowing or lightly grazing down to a 4- to 6-inch residual in early August removes dead tissue and stimulates a more uniform regrowth. Before September arrives, scout your fields for broadleaf weeds; common invaders like ragweed and thistle thrive here at this time of year, and spot-spray any patches you find to keep competition low and forage quality high.
Once stockpiling is underway, don't set it and forget it. Walk your fields weekly to check canopy height. You will want to aim for eight to 10 inches by mid-September and adjust your grazing start date if growth stalls or weather shifts.
In October, take a composite forage sample to analyze crude protein and energy levels. If those numbers fall below your herd's requirements, plan for supplemental feeding sooner rather than later. Keep detailed notes on growth rates, intake patterns and animal body condition to sharpen next year's forecasts and management decisions.
By inventorying your stand, projecting realistic growth, and applying timely management practices tailored to northern Indiana and southern Michigan, you'll build a reliable winter grazing reserve that lowers hay bills, sustains animal performance and offers peace of mind when the first frost arrives. Each season's notes become the foundation for an even more resilient forage plan—turning every winter challenge into an opportunity for continuous improvement.
Upcoming events:
Greener Pasture Field Day—Aug. 28, 6 p.m. RSVP by Aug. 18 by calling 812/482-1171, ext. 3 or Greener Pastures, Ferdinand, Ind. | CCSI. $10 per person and a meal will be provided. Presentations will include warm season grasses, biochar and gypsum, paddock systems, alternative legumes and nitrogen and watering systems.
Eastern Regional National Bison Assn. Summer Conference—Sept. 26-27, Rochester, White Oaks Bison Farm.