Effective Strategies On How To Manage Pastures In Drought

Drought conditions can take a heavy toll on pastures, making it vital for landowners to have an effective plan for how to manage pastures in drought. As dry periods become more frequent across Canada, managing pastures in drought requires careful grazing strategies to protect the health of both the land and livestock.

 This guide covers practical approaches to grazing management during drought, helping landowners maintain pasture productivity and avoid long-term damage, even in challenging weather conditions.

Jump To:

• The Impact Of Drought On Managing Pastures
• Key Strategies For Managing Pastures In Drought Conditions
• Enhancing Grazing Management During Drought
• Long-Term Strategies For Managing Pastures in Drought
• Building A Drought-Prepared Grazing Plan

The Impact Of Drought On Managing Pastures

Pastures are especially vulnerable to drought, as moisture is essential for the growth of grasses and forages. Prolonged dry periods can lead to reduced vegetation cover, weakened root systems, and long-term damage to soil health. As the grass thins, the risk of overgrazing increases, which compounds the negative impact of drought on land productivity. 

According to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, droughts are occurring more frequently and lasting longer in certain regions. The 2021 drought, for example, was one of the worst in recent decades and affected millions of acres of farmland, leading to a sharp decline in pasture productivity across Western Canada. Grazing management during drought, therefore, isn’t just about surviving the short-term—it’s about planning for sustainability.

Key Strategies For Managing Pastures In Drought Conditions

Adjust Stocking Rates

One of the most important steps in managing pastures during a drought is adjusting your stocking rates. A drought-stricken pasture simply cannot support the same number of livestock as it would under normal conditions. To prevent overgrazing, reduce your herd size based on forage availability.

 Start by assessing the current condition of your pasture. Using a combination of visual observation and soil testing, you can estimate how much forage is left and whether it’s healthy enough to sustain your livestock. Many land managers recommend reducing stocking rates by 20-50% during severe droughts to prevent long-term pasture damage.

Implement Rotational Grazing

Rotational grazing allows pasture recovery by giving each section of the land a rest period. This system involves dividing your pasture into smaller paddocks and moving livestock between them, ensuring no one section of land is grazed for too long.

During droughts, rest periods should be extended to give the plants more time to recover. The lack of moisture slows down plant regrowth, so pastures need longer recovery times to prevent damage to root systems and overall soil structure. Implementing a flexible rotational grazing plan can reduce the risk of overgrazing and allow vegetation to regenerate once conditions improve.

Monitor Soil Health And Moisture Levels

Soil health plays a crucial role in the resilience of pastures during drought. Healthy soils, rich in organic matter, are better at retaining moisture, even in dry conditions. Regular soil testing can provide valuable insight into how well your soil is equipped to handle drought stress.

 To maintain soil health during drought, consider strategies like reducing compaction, improving water infiltration, and ensuring adequate ground cover. Grazing management during drought should focus on minimizing soil disturbance and protecting what moisture remains in the soil. Practices like no-till seeding can help regenerate pastures without disturbing the soil structure, retaining the moisture necessary for plant growth.

Enhancing Grazing Management During Drought

Feed Supplementation

When pastures are not producing enough forage, supplemental feeding becomes a critical aspect of drought management. You can reduce grazing pressure by providing livestock with alternative feed sources like hay, grain, or silage. Not only does this protect the pasture from overgrazing, but it also ensures your animals receive adequate nutrition during the drought period.

Keep in mind that supplementing feed should be done strategically to avoid waste. Monitor the intake of supplemental feed to make sure animals are not overly dependent on it, while still managing the grazing impact on your land.

Use Sacrifice Areas

Sacrifice areas are designated sections of land where livestock can be concentrated during times of drought, reducing the grazing pressure on more productive areas. While this area may be damaged due to overuse, the rest of your pasture can remain healthier and recover more quickly once the drought ends.

Choose a low-quality pasture or an area where you can afford to let the grass die off temporarily. After the drought passes, you can reseed and rehabilitate this section while rotating your livestock back to the healthier parts of the land.

Enhance Water Management

Water is a limiting factor during droughts, not just for plants but also for livestock. Implementing efficient water systems is crucial to ensure that livestock has access to clean, adequate water without depleting available resources. Consider installing water tanks or troughs in multiple locations to prevent livestock from trampling sensitive areas around natural water sources.

Water retention techniques, such as building ponds or investing in rainwater harvesting systems, can also help improve your farm’s resilience to drought. While this may not immediately solve the problem, it’s a long-term investment that can mitigate future drought risks.

Long-Term Strategies For Managing Pastures in Drought

Plant Drought-Resistant Species

One long-term strategy for dealing with frequent droughts is incorporating drought-resistant plant species into your pasture mix. Some native grasses and legumes are more resilient to dry conditions and can thrive with limited water. Species like crested wheatgrass or western wheatgrass are known for their drought tolerance and deep root systems, which help retain soil moisture.

By diversifying your pasture plant species, you create a more resilient ecosystem that can withstand varying conditions and recover faster once the drought breaks.

Improve Ground Cover

Maintaining ground cover is one of the best ways to protect your pasture during drought. Ground cover, which includes grasses, forbs, and even crop residue, acts as a barrier that reduces water evaporation and protects the soil from erosion. Bare soil is particularly vulnerable to the harsh effects of drought, so ensuring that your land has consistent cover can help minimize damage.

Techniques like planting cover crops or spreading organic mulch can help retain soil moisture and reduce erosion, especially during the early stages of drought.

Financial And Government Assistance For Landowners

Managing pastures during drought isn’t just a physical or logistical challenge—it can also have significant financial implications. Fortunately, Canadian farmers and ranchers may be eligible for various government assistance programs aimed at mitigating the impact of drought.

For example, the AgriRecovery program provides financial aid to producers facing extraordinary costs due to drought and other natural disasters. Additionally, programs like the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) offer funding for farmers looking to invest in more resilient agricultural practices, including water management systems and soil improvement projects.

Building A Drought-Prepared Grazing Plan

A comprehensive drought management plan should be part of your overall farm strategy, not just something you put in place once a drought has already started. Here’s how to get started:

1. Evaluate Pasture Health Regularly – Conduct soil tests and pasture assessments at least once a year to gauge your land’s readiness for drought.
2. Develop a Flexible Stocking Rate Plan – Have a plan in place to reduce herd sizes during times of drought without compromising your livestock’s health or your long-term productivity.
3. Invest in Long-Term Water Solutions – Install efficient water systems that can support livestock during drought conditions.
4. Incorporate Drought-Resistant Plant Species – Diversify your pasture plant mix with species that can handle dry conditions.
5. Monitor Weather Patterns – Use seasonal forecasts and drought monitoring tools to predict potential dry periods and adjust your grazing plan accordingly.

By planning ahead and implementing drought-resilient practices, you can help ensure that your land remains productive, even during dry spells.

Plan Ahead And Stay Resilient

Droughts are an inevitable part of farming in Canada, but that doesn’t mean they have to spell disaster for your pastures. With careful planning, grazing management, and a focus on soil and water health, you can navigate these challenging conditions and keep your land viable for years to come. From adjusting stocking rates to implementing long-term water solutions, every small step can make a big difference.

For more information on managing pastures in drought or to explore land opportunities that suit your needs, reach out to Hansen Land Brokers. We’re here to help you manage your land effectively and keep your business thriving in any climate condition.