As wheat pasture declines in late spring, many producers face a transition period in which forage availability and quality may be limited. This gap between cool-season and warm-season perennial forages can be particularly challenging for operations with higher nutritional demands, such as stocker cattle or cow-calf operations. Summer annual forage mixtures offer a practical way to maintain productivity and extend high-quality grazing into the summer months, and early May is an ideal time to begin planting across much of Oklahoma.
Summer annuals are valued for their rapid growth, high yield potential, and flexibility in use. They can be utilized for grazing, hay production, or as part of a broader soil management strategy. In many cases, these forages provide higher nutritive value than warm-season perennial grasses, particularly during periods when perennial systems are still developing or beginning to decline in quality.
Effective mixtures typically include both grass and legume components. Sorghum-sudan hybrids and pearl millet are commonly selected for their productivity and adaptability, while crabgrass offers excellent forage quality, palatability and regrowth potential under appropriate grazing management. The inclusion of legumes such as cowpeas or sunn hemp can enhance crude protein content and contribute nitrogen to the system, reducing fertilizer requirements if implemented annually.
Establishment is a critical factor in the success of summer annual mixtures, and planting method can influence both stand success and early growth. In most systems following wheat pasture, producers will either drill seed directly into residue or broadcast seed with light incorporation. Each method can be effective when managed appropriately, but seeding depth, rate, and seed-to-soil contact become especially important.
No-till drilled plantings generally provide the most consistent establishment due to improved seed placement and moisture access. This approach is particularly beneficial in drier conditions or when planting into heavier residue. A general rule of thumb is to plant seeds at a depth 2-3 times the diameter of the seed.
Broadcast plantings can be effective when equipment or time limits drilling, particularly when rainfall is expected. However, success depends heavily on achieving adequate seed-to-soil contact, often through light disking, dragging, or cultipacking. Broadcast systems typically require slightly higher seeding rates to compensate for reduced uniformity and potential seed loss.
Across both methods, planting should occur when soil temperatures are consistently above 60°F and adequate moisture is available to support germination.
Regardless of method, mixtures should be adjusted to avoid excessive competition, and fertility programs should account for the inclusion of legumes, which can reduce nitrogen requirements. Careful attention to planting depth and timing will improve establishment success and help ensure these systems reach their full production potential.
Sources: Oklahoma State University Extension, USDA-NRCS, Kansas State University Extension, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, and Hay & Forage Grower.
Dr. Mason Henson and Mark Johsondiscuss how grazing timing impacts pasture productivity on SunUpTV’s Cow-Calf Corner at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XU9gJzKuhh8&list=PLglOSpV-Tcac6-pVMv0BEAk78_7tJCuap&index=1
