What Are the Best Crops to Grow Alongside Livestock in Texas? Diversifying your ranch keeps your soil healthy and your animals fed. Growing crops alongside your livestock maximizes your land’s potential. In Texas, you need tough plants that survive heat and provide quality forage. Here are the best options to integrate into your operation.
Coastal Bermudagrass
This is the king of Texas hay. Coastal Bermudagrass thrives in our hot climate and responds well to fertilizer. It produces high yields of hay and stands up to heavy grazing. Cattle love it, and it provides decent protein levels. Plant it in sunny areas with well-draining soil. Once established, it acts as a reliable foundation for your herd’s nutrition.
Sorghum-Sudangrass Hybrids
Need fast summer forage? Plant Sorghum-Sudangrass. This crop grows incredibly fast during the hottest months. It offers excellent grazing potential and works well for hay production. However, you must manage it carefully. Do not graze horses on it, as it can cause health issues for them. For cattle, wait until the plants reach 18-24 inches tall before letting them graze to avoid prussic acid poisoning.
Winter Wheat and Oats
Your pastures don’t have to stay dormant in winter. Overseeding with winter wheat or oats provides crucial green forage when everything else turns brown. These cool-season crops fill the nutritional gap from December to March. They allow you to reduce your hay bill and keep your livestock gaining weight through the cold season. They also help prevent soil erosion during winter rains.
Visit Pasturas Los Alazanes
Successful planting starts with quality seed. Visit Pasturas Los Alazanes for the best seed varieties suited for the Texas climate. We also carry the fertilizers and weed control products you need to grow a bountiful crop for your herd.