What is the Southern Dairy Cow & Cattle Forage Mix?
Southern Dairy Cow & Cattle Forage Mix: high-protein cool-season blend (tall fescue, perennial ryegrass, orchardgrass, alfalfa, white clover) for dairy and beef cattle. Thrives in USDA zones 6-9 in the Southern US. Drought-tolerant, high-yield pasture mix for year-round grazing, enhancing forage quality and soil health with nitrogen-fixing legumes.
Specifications
Sun Requirement
Full sun
Soil Preference
Well-drained loam or clay
Soil pH
5.5–7.0
Time to Maturity
6–8 weeks
Height when mature
3–4 feet
Seeding Rate
~20–25 lb/acre
Planting Depth
¼–½ inch
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Cattle & Dairy Cow Pasture Mix for Warm Season
SKU: PB-COW-SO
- Cattle
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Description
Seeds in the Mix
High-Quality Nutrition
This mix is designed for top livestock performance. Alfalfa and white clover fix nitrogen and deliver high digestible protein and energy, while the grasses provide fermentable fiber. For example, perennial ryegrass in the blend has protein and energy levels equal to or better than most pasture grasses. Overall, the combination supports rapid weight gain and milk production in cattle.
Southern Adaptation
All components tolerate heat and humidity. Tall fescue thrives in warm, humid climates and will grow into late fall in Southern zones. Fescue varieties with endophytes improve summer survival under drought. White clover (especially small/intermediate types) is one of the most drought-resistant legumes. Orchardgrass adds spring/fall yield but slows in midsummer (growth above ~85°F is reduced). Together, these species maintain good ground cover through heat and periodic dry spells.
Rapid Regrowth
This mix recovers quickly under grazing. Perennial ryegrass germinates fast – under ideal conditions, it can be grazed in ~60 days. Orchardgrass is fast-growing and regrows vigorously after cutting. Even tall fescue rebounds rapidly once active growth begins. These quick recovery rates allow multiple cuttings or grazing cycles, keeping pastures productive across seasons.
Extended Season Production
Being cool-season perennials, these plants extend the grazing window. Tall fescue will grow when soils warm to ~40°F and continues growth into late fall, filling summer-to-winter feed gaps. Clover and ryegrass thrive in early spring and fall, providing lush forage when warm-season grasses are dormant. By overlapping growth periods, the mix offers feed as early as spring and as late as autumn, lengthening the grazing season for Southern ranchers.
Soil Health & Sustainability
Legumes in this mix build soil fertility. Alfalfa supplies substantial organic nitrogen and improves soil structure, while white clover fixes N that benefits companion grasses. As a result, fertilizer needs drop over time. The deep, fibrous roots of both grasses and legumes enhance soil organic matter and stability. Solid stands of white clover form excellent erosion-control covers on fertile soils. Overall, the mix promotes sustainable pastures by feeding the soil as well as the herd.
Description
Seeds in the Mix
Detail Product
Sun/Shade
Full sun
Height
3–4 feet
Seeding Rate
~20–25 lb/acre
Uses
Perennial pasture for grazing, hay, silage, or greenchop
Color
Green foliage (occasionally white clover blooms)
Water
Green foliage (occasionally white clover blooms)
Native
Temperate Eurasia (introduced to NA); now common in U.S.
Life Form
Perennial grasses & legumes
Product Uses
Grazing and Foraging
Ideal for dairy and beef grazing systems. The mix creates a lush, balanced pasture that supports weight gain and milk production. It works well under rotational or continuous grazing.
Healthy for livestock
Produces high-quality forage for haylage or baleage. Cut at mid- to late-boot stage to capture peak nutrition. Alfalfa and clover components add protein and digestibility, making a superior hay blend for livestock.
For any Type of Pasture
Use to oversow thin or declineing pastures. Grasses rebuild stand density while legumes reintroduce nitrogen-fixers. The combination quickly fills open ground and rejuvenates forage production.
Fix Nitrogen and Improve Soil Health
As a cover crop, the dense grass-legume stand suppresses weeds, adds organic matter, and protects the soil. Nitrogen fixed by legumes improves fertility for the next season’s crop or pasture.
Questions & Answers
Which livestock can graze this mix?
Mainly designed for cattle (dairy and beef), this forage mix is also excellent for sheep, goats, and other grazing animals. All components are palatable, and white clover in particular is “highly palatable” for all livestock classes. Farmers report that cattle thrive on it, gaining weight efficiently and, for dairy cows, maintaining high milk production on the nutrient-rich mix.
When and how should I plant this mix?
Plant in a well-prepared seedbed during cool periods. In the South, ideal seeding times are early spring (Feb–Apr) or late summer/early fall (Aug–Sep) when soils are warm enough for germination but the worst heat or freeze is avoided. Drill or broadcast the seed ~¼″ deep. Maintain moisture for the first few weeks. It establishes quickly – perennial ryegrass can be ready to graze in ~60 days under good conditions.
How drought-tolerant is this mix?
Once established, it tolerates moderate drought better than many cool-season stands. Tall fescue (with endophytes) survives summer dryness relatively well, and clover (especially small/intermediate types) is noted as very drought-resistant. Of course, yields will drop in extended dry spells. Adequate fertility and residue help conserve soil moisture, and if possible, a light summer irrigation can bridge dry periods. Overall, the mix offers better dry-climate performance than ryegrass alone, thanks to fescue’s deep roots and clover’s hardiness.
What soil conditions and pH are best?
This blend is adaptable. It thrives in well-drained loam or clay soils and tolerates a fairly wide pH range (~5.5–7.0). Tall fescue and clover do well in slightly acidic soil, though alfalfa prefers near-neutral pH (6.5–7.0) for optimal persistence. A soil test is recommended: apply phosphorus or potassium if deficient. (Avoid heavy nitrogen fertilization, as clovers provide N naturally.)
How should I manage grazing?
Rotational grazing is ideal. Leave a 3–4″ residual when moving cattle to allow regrowth. White clover and tall fescue tolerate close grazing: clover is “very persistent in pastures, withstands close grazing”, and endophyte fescue cultivars are known to withstand “abuse or neglect”. Maintain a 40–50% clover stand by grazing regularly (close defoliation favors clover over grass). Avoid grazing so short that legume crowns are damaged. In practice, livestock can graze this mix intensively as long as you rotate and monitor stand vigor.
How does this mix handle fertilizer and maintenance?
One benefit is lower fertilizer needs. The legumes fix nitrogen, so additional N fertilizer is generally unnecessary and can even hurt clover. Instead, plan to apply phosphorus and potash per soil test. If you fertilize with nitrogen, do so lightly in spring: it will boost grass growth, but excessive rates can suppress clover. In sum, let the clover/alfalfa supply N, and maintain fertility with other nutrients for best long-term productivity.
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Reviews
Southern Dairy Cow & Cattle Forage Mix: high-protein cool-season blend (tall fescue, perennial ryegrass, orchardgrass, alfalfa, white clover) for dairy and beef cattle. Thrives in USDA zones 6-9 in the Southern US. Drought-tolerant, high-yield pasture mix for year-round grazing, enhancing forage quality and soil health with nitrogen-fixing legumes.
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