Forage and Livestock
Pasture and Hay
One characteristic of forage and livestock systems in Georgia, Florida, and Alabama is that most cattle are raised grazing tropical and sub-tropical pastures and are fed hay produced from several hay crops. Both pasture for grazing and hay production fields are heavily influenced seasonal climate variability. The Region most affected by El Niño climate variability is the Florida peninsula. The Southern Coastal Plain of Georgia, Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle also hay strong ENSO signals. The Southern Coastal Plain experiences a mild, temperate climate and can support a number of tropical and semi-tropical forage plant species. Peninsular Florida is temperate and sub-tropical. Tropical species grow exuberantly here where soil conditions permit, but cool season grasses behave almost invariably as winter annuals.
Management Practices Potentially Influenced by Seasonal Climate Variability
| Management | El Nino | La Nino |
|---|---|---|
| Establishment of Cool Season Grasses | Generally good for planting. | Tends to be too dry for good establishment. |
| Establishment of Warm Season Grasses | Little influence in summer plantings. | Tends to be too dry for good establishment in later winter plantings. |
| Fertilization | N and K may have to be repeated due to leaching. | Little response expected from plantings in winter-spring. |
| Grazing and Stocking Rates | Up to 10% more cattle can typically be stocked. | Stocking might be reduced by 12-15%. |
| Making Hay | Spring harvest abundant. | Spring cutting usually not worthwhile. |
| Forage Quality | May be higher due to cooler temperatures. | May be roughage quality due to persistently high temperatures. |
| Pasture Renovation | Desiccation of old growth may be difficult. | Desiccation of old growth easier due to dry conditions. |
| Nitrogen leaching and forage crops | Plant winter annuals | Sorghum and Millet are drought tolerant and uptake N |