Webinar to Help Western Kansas Cattle Producers Make Grass Turnout Decisions

COLBY, Kan. — As dry conditions continue across western Kansas, cattle producers are facing difficult decisions about when—and how many—head to turn out on pasture this spring. A free webinar hosted by K‑State Research and Extension will provide timely guidance to help producers navigate those decisions.

“The spring green‑up we like to see is slow or non‑existent in some areas,” said Sandy Johnson, beef cow‑calf specialist with K‑State Research and Extension in Colby.

Although weather patterns can change, both the timing and amount of precipitation remain uncertain. Johnson said pastures need adequate plant cover to capture as much rainfall as possible when it does occur.

“For the best infiltration and to reduce runoff, maintaining sufficient grass cover is critical,” Johnson said. “That’s why stocking rate and turnout timing decisions can make a real difference, especially during dry years.”

The webinar will feature Keith Harmoney, range scientist at K‑State’s Agricultural Research Center in Hays, who will discuss planning and decision‑making strategies based on historical range research. His work includes analysis of drought periods from the 1930s and 1950s, as well as more recent dry conditions.

Also participating will be Chip Redmond with the K‑State Mesonet, who will provide a short‑term weather outlook and highlight online climate and decision‑support tools available to producers.

The webinar, hosted by the K‑State Research and Extension Western Kansas Centers, will be held Tuesday, April 29, from noon to 1 p.m. Central time. The program is free, but registration is required at https://tinyurl.com/kstate-grazing.

The session will be recorded and made available afterward on the K‑State Department of Animal Sciences beef website, KSUBeef.org.

For more information or to register, producers may contact Sandy Johnson at 785‑443‑1332 or sandyj@ksu.edu.