This article examines how cattle producers across the Southeast U.S. have navigated an exceptionally volatile year of weather. We’ll explore how extreme rainfall, sudden drought, and erratic temperatures have stressed forage systems—and why winter cover crops like ryegrass and oats are now more critical than ever for herd nutrition and pasture resilience.
From Soaked Spring to Sudden Drought
The 2024 growing season in the Southeast has been a textbook case of climate variability impacting agricultural systems. Producers have been forced to adapt rapidly as conditions lurched from one extreme to the other.
This has had direct consequences for hay production, pasture health, and feed reserves.
Excessive Rainfall and Forage Waste in Spring
Spring began with excessive rainfall that saturated fields across much of the region. Fields were too wet to support equipment, making it difficult to properly cut and bale hay at the optimal stage of maturity.
As a result, large amounts of forage were lost to weathering and decay. Cutting delays meant that many grasses became over-mature, reducing nutritional quality and leading to significant forage waste.
This eroded the hay reserves that producers rely on to bridge gaps in grazing during winter and periods of drought.
Dry Summer and Missing Tropical Moisture
By early summer, the pattern flipped. Much of the Southeast transitioned from waterlogged soils to progressively drying conditions.
Rains became sporadic, and the region missed the usual moisture influx from tropical systems that often replenish groundwater and pasture moisture. This lack of tropical rainfall allowed drought conditions to develop and intensify.
Pastures in many areas experienced reduced growth, and some producers were forced to feed hay far earlier than planned. That early drawdown of hay stocks compounded the deficit created by spring forage losses.
Uneven Fall Rainfall and Temperature Swings
As the calendar moved into fall, the climate picture became even more complex. Rainfall distribution turned highly variable, and temperatures swung repeatedly between extremes.
This complicated both pasture management and planning for winter feed.
Patchy Relief from Drought Across the Region
DTN meteorologist John Baranick noted that fall rainfall has been highly uneven. Some areas in Alabama, Georgia, and Florida saw enough precipitation to ease drought stress, allowing cool-season forages and pastures to respond positively.
Farther north, intermittent rain events raised temporary concerns about flooding and field access, only to be followed by drier stretches. This patchwork pattern means that conditions can vary significantly from county to county.
Erratic Temperatures: From Bitter Cold to Unseasonable Warmth
Alongside irregular rainfall, temperature patterns have been notably erratic. Producers have experienced short bouts of bitter cold interspersed with periods of unusually warm weather.
This volatility can stress forage stands and complicate planting and germination of winter annuals. Alabama cattleman Eric Smith reported that recent cool weather combined with scattered rain has offered some relief.
However, forecasts indicate that the remainder of the year is likely to be warmer and sunnier than normal, a factor that could significantly influence winter forage growth dynamics.
Critical Role of Winter Cover Crops for Cattle
Given the stresses on perennial pastures and hay reserves, winter cover crops have emerged as a crucial component of resilience for Southeast cattle operations. These crops provide both a nutritional bridge for livestock and agronomic benefits for row-crop systems.
Ryegrass and Oats: The Winter Workhorses
Many producers in the region strategically plant ryegrass and oats on corn and peanut ground once those cash crops are harvested. These winter annuals serve multiple functions:
Without such cover crops, perennial pastures often become unusable after a killing frost. At that point, warm-season grasses go dormant, and stand damage increases if cattle continue to graze heavily.
In the absence of winter forages, producers are forced to rely much more heavily on hay—hay that is already in shorter supply due to spring and summer weather impacts.
Looking Ahead: Forecasts and Forage Opportunities
Weather patterns heading into winter and spring could help offset some of the earlier forage setbacks.
Variable Storm Track, Better Moisture, and Warmer Temperatures
Meteorologists expect a variable storm track through January, which may bring alternating wet and dry periods.
While this variability requires careful management, it also helps recharge soil moisture in key grazing areas.
By late winter, models suggest a shift toward more stable moisture patterns.
Coupled with above-normal temperatures, these conditions can accelerate the growth of winter cover crops and early spring pastures.
For producers who have successfully established ryegrass and oats, the following benefits are likely:
Here is the source article for this story: Southeast Cattle Producers Navigate Extreme Weather Swings From Wet Spring to Summer Drought