There’s an old saying that goes, “Droughty weather makes you worry, wet spells will make you starve.” This year, it sure feels that way. Some areas were too wet, making it tough to make hay or even get into the fields. Other areas stayed dry and struggled to grow much at all. Now, with some much-needed rain, pastures have bounced back and cool-season forages have turned greener almost overnight. It’s a welcome sight, but one thing is still clear: forage growth is slowing down with shorter days, hay quality is all over the board and the choices we make this fall are going to carry right into next spring.

When grass greens back up, the temptation is to try and get as much grazing in as possible by grazing pastures tighter. I get it—we all want to stretch what’s out there. But grazing down t

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