Column: How to build drought-resilient pastures for long-term livestock health

I certainly enjoyed all the warm, sunny weather we had this summer and fall, but sometimes there can be too much of a good thing. This area has experienced two straight years with periods of mild drought. More than likely, this pattern will continue in the future.

Drought is one of the toughest challenges livestock producers face. When pastures dry up, forage production slows, animal performance suffers and feed costs rise. While we can’t control the weather, we can prepare our pastures to better handle dry conditions. Building drought resistance comes down to good soil management, the right plants, smart grazing practices and planning ahead.

The foundation of a drought-resilient pasture is healthy soil. Soils with good structure and organic matter hold water more effectively and provide plants with the nutrients they need during stressful conditions. Regular soil testing helps identify nutrient deficiencies and pH imbalances that should be corrected to optimize forage growth.

Applying lime, fertilizer or manure as recommended will support deep-rooted plants that can access water during dry periods. Incorporating practices such as cover cropping and reduced tillage can further build organic matter and improve water infiltration.

Selecting drought-tolerant forage species is a critical step in building resilient pastures. Deep-rooted grasses like tall fescue, orchardgrass and smooth bromegrass can access moisture reserves below the soil surface. Warm-season grasses such as switchgrass, big bluestem or bermudagrass are naturally adapted to hot, dry conditions and often maintain growth when cool-season grasses go dormant.

Including legumes like alfalfa or birdsfoot trefoil not only adds protein to livestock diets, but also fixes nitrogen, improving soil fertility over time. A diverse mix of forages spreads risk and ensures at least some species continue to thrive when conditions are less than ideal.

Overgrazing is one of the quickest ways to weaken pasture resilience. Continuous heavy grazing reduces root growth, leaving plants more vulnerable during drought. Instead, managed rotational grazing allows forage plants to rest and regrow between grazing events. By dividing pastures into paddocks and moving livestock regularly, producers give plants time to rebuild energy reserves and develop deeper root systems.

Maintaining appropriate residual forage — generally leaving 4 inches of growth on cool-season grasses and 6-8 inches on warm-season grasses — helps protect soil from erosion and reduces evaporation.

During drought, water sources may become limited, making it essential to plan ahead. Reliable alternatives such as wells, pipelines or strategically placed water tanks should be considered. Adequate water access ensures animals can be rotated through pastures efficiently without overgrazing one area due to limited drinking options.

Building drought-resistant pastures is not a one-time effort. Establishing buffer forage reserves such as stockpiled fescue or hay supplies provides insurance against feed shortages. Integrating silvopasture systems, where trees provide shade and reduce heat stress, also can improve animal performance and pasture persistence during drought. Finally, maintaining flexibility in stocking rates allows producers to adjust herd size if forage conditions deteriorate.

Drought will always be a challenge for livestock operations, but careful planning can reduce its impact. By focusing on soil health, planting drought-tolerant forages, practicing rotational grazing, ensuring reliable water access and building long-term resilience strategies, producers can develop pastures that endure dry conditions and recover quickly when rains return.

To grow pastures that withstand drought longer in future years, consider a pasture management program for your operation. Building drought-resistant pastures is about planning ahead.

Holmes Soil and Water Conservation District can assist you with a pasture management plan. We are offering two free pasture soil tests including recommendations made possible by a grant from the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District. A fencing kit also is available if you would like to try rotational grazing or provide extra forage this fall from a hay field or cover crop/residue field. The kit includes a solar charger, turbo wire, poly wire, step-in posts, geared reels and a 100-gallon water trough. Call our office at 330-674-2811 ext. 3 or email holmes.swcd@gmail.com for more details.

Joe Christner is a program assistant with Holmes Soil and Water Conservation District.