REDFIELD, Iowa (DTN) -- Having enough grass for cows to graze throughout the year is important, especially in times of drought. The Stark family has had to make adjustments the past few years to be able to keep their herd fed properly.

Tristan and Shaylyn Stark own S Bar K Cattle and Hay in Baker, Montana, and are participating in DTN's View From the Range series, where DTN will follow a year at the ranch to give readers an inside look at how the ranch operates and cares for its animals.

This segment of the series shows how they manage the grasses found in their eastern Montana pasture and range throughout the year.

"After branding at the end of May is when we start sending cows to summer pasture," said Shaylyn. "We start on the pastures with cool-season grasses. We like to get to them early on to utilize the grass before it is dried up."

ADAPTING GRAZING PLANS DURING DROUGHT

The past several years, they have watched the grass very closely due to drought conditions. Cows will graze fields normally cut for hay if they are short on grass. A lot of their grazing is tied to hay fields, and they will graze the fields after baling also. "We can adjust our grazing plan for the year if we have to," she said. "We know we want to have enough hay to last for two years, so we don't have to buy any hay, but if we don't have as much to sell, we will make that work also. We haven't really been able to let pastures have the rest they need since the 2021 drought, so we adjust how we can."

USING LEASED GROUND AND GRAZING DISTRICTS

The Starks utilize leased ground beside the ground that they own. The ranch that was more recently purchased with Tristan's brother about 40 miles south of their main ranch headquarters is the home of summer grazing for all the yearling heifers. After the two-year-old pairs are branded at the end of May, they are also taken to the south ranch and turned into a very large pasture where they will stay until mid-September. Hay fields at this ranch can also be utilized if grass is short.

That ranch is also part of a grazing district. Shaylyn said when they purchased the ranch, it gave them the rights to belong to the district. This group of ranchers gathers annually to discuss challenges affecting them in the area and talk about best grazing management practices for the coming year. The group sets a timeline for grazing on the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) ground as well as the private land in the area to prevent overgrazing. "That timeline generally starts in April and ends around Sept. 20," she explained.

At that time, they will haul the heifers back to their main ranch for pregnancy checks and will be mixed with Tristan's parents' heifers for the winter and through calving. This allows them to manage the big group together and then be able to check them more closely during calving. Utilizing the joined help of the entire family spreads out the labor when needed.

The two-year-old pairs also are hauled back to the main ranch for calving, along with all the other cows. Shaylyn said it's easiest, for now, to have all the cows in one spot during calving.

WATER AND INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT GRAZING SUCCESS

Water also plays a part in the grazing plan. Thankfully, most of their pasture lies along a creek, and they have always had water running in the creek even during the worst drought years. Other producers along the creek have had some issues with their area drying up and then needing another water source.

At the south ranch, solar wells are utilized with large water tanks. She said depending on the size of the group in pasture, they have had to use portable water tanks to ensure they have enough. Tristan also installed cameras by all the water tanks for them to monitor the water level.

Good fencing is important to guarantee cows are in the pastures they have been put in. The Starks check all the fences before cows are turned into a new piece. "We usually know when it's time to rotate in our system because we have some older cows who like to put pressure on some of our fences," she added. "But we have replaced a lot of the fences to make sure they are good and strong."

Being flexible and making adjustments to the grazing plan as the year progresses is the most important way the Starks ensure the cows have the grass needed to provide good nutrition during grazing season.

Editor's Note: To see previous stories in this series, go to: "Montana Family Shares View From the Range," https://www.dtnpf.com/…

"Montana Ranchers Weather Challenges to Preserve Ranch Heritage," https://www.dtnpf.com/…

"Montana Family Follows Winter Weather Care Routine," https://www.dtnpf.com/…

"Montana Family Keeps Calving Low Labor," https://www.dtnpf.com/…

"Young Montana Ranchers Making Dream into Reality," https://www.dtnpf.com/…

"Montana Ranch Family's Branding Traditions," https://www.dtnpf.com/…

"Montana Ranchers Use Summer to Stockpile Feed for Winter," https://www.dtnpf.com/…

"Montana Ranch Keeps Its Cow Herd Thriving Year-Round," https://www.dtnpf.com/…

Jennifer Carrico can be reached at jennifer.carrico@dtn.com

Follow her on social platform X @JennCattleGal

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