Grazing in Michiana
As farmers across Indiana and Michigan know all too well, our cool-season grasses—fescues, orchardgrass, clovers—hit a growth wall every July or August. This year, though, the "summer slump" showed up early. That persistent heat dome seared through June and by mid-month, green blades were already folding, moisture was vanishing and regrowth slowed to a crawl. It's a natural response—cool-season species shut down cell division when soil temperatures top the mid-70s—but it still feels jarring when your pastures go from lush to spotty in days.
When growth slows, it's easy to overgraze. What looked like a 6-inch buffer a week ago might be down to 2 inches today. Overgrazing weakens plants, reduces root reserves and invites weeds or bare ground. Walk your paddocks weekly. If grasses fall below 3 to 4 inches of residual height, it is time to move livestock or pull them off entirely. A simple visual check by spot-walking or taking quick measurements with a ruler can save you from long-term damage.
If your pastures can't keep up with intake, it's better to switch to saved forage than force cattle into starvation grazing. Have hay bales or stockpiled grass ready before slump hits. Round bales set out in a rested paddock work well—cattle can graze down the residue, fertilizing as they eat, and you get extra rest on other fields. Supplemental hay also smooths out intake swings, keeping rumens happy and gains steady when fresh grass isn't available.
If you have enough acreage, consider converting 10–20% of your worst slump-prone fields into a warm-season grass mix. Big bluestem and Indiangrass thrive June through early September, filling that growth gap when fescues stall. Establishment is straightforward: lightly till, control weeds with a burn-down herbicide, drill seed at 14 pounds per acre and let nature take its course. These perennials build deep roots, tolerate drought better than cool-season colleagues, and return year after year, cutting your reliance on hay during the dog days. They can take a little bit of time to establish, so do not count on them to be part of your rotation during the first year. Year two they will be ready to go!
For an even faster fix, plant a summer annual. Sorghum-sudangrass hybrids, forage sorghums, sunn hemp or millet can be planted after wheat harvest. They germinate in warm soils, grow 4 to 6 inches a week with moisture and can deliver two or three grazings in a single season. Sorghums add tonnage; sunn hemp fixes nitrogen and helps suppress nematodes; millet brings fine stems perfect for young stock. Just be mindful of prussic acid risks in sorghums and avoid grazing when plants are frosted or drought stressed.
Hot weather isn't just hard on grass. Livestock stress spikes when temperatures climb above 80 degrees F. Cattle pant, feed intake dips and gains stall. Make sure every paddock has abundant, clean water. Troughs or tanks should be in the shade or under a simple lean-to to keep water cool; automatic float valves and good filtration prevent outages. Portable shade cloths or tree lines (existing or silvopasture) give cows refuge. Animals will graze longer and rest smarter when they can escape direct sun.
While summer demands most of your attention on the hoof, late July and early August are perfect for eyeing your fall plan. The ideal seeding window for cool-season grasses and legumes opens Aug. 1 in our region. Warm nights and still-warm soils give seed a head start before dormancy. Start scheduling seed deliveries now and get soil samples back by mid-July so you know your phosphorus, potassium and lime requirements before you call the fertilizer truck.
Applying phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) after summer slump can supercharge fall growth and lead into next spring. Follow soil-test recommendations—most Indiana and lower Michigan pastures benefit from a maintenance rate of 40-60 lb P2O5 and 60-100 lb K2O per acre, adjusted by your test results. If pH is below 6.2, a lime application helps clover thrive alongside your grass. Spread dry fertilizer or inject liquid blends on firm ground, and plan for a light grazing or mowing to incorporate it into the soil surface.
Managing the summer slump is about more than surviving; it's about smoothing production curves so your herd stays on feed, your pastures stay productive, and your wallet avoids spikes in hay bills. Early-warning signs—spindly regrowth, thin cover, heat-stressed cattle—tell you when to pivot. Tools like diversified pasture species (warm- and cool-season mixes), annual forages, strategic hay feeding and timely fertility let you bridge the gap between spring's flush and fall's rebound.
Hope everyone has a happy and productive summer. Also, one thing we all forget about is taking time off, make sure you take some time for yourself to reset and relax!