Experts at the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture say the exceptionally dry conditions mean farmers should consider a rotational grazing system for their livestock.
Forage extension specialist Garry Lacefield says rotating grazing areas will ensure less waste. He says many of Kentucky's pastures are made up of cool-season grasses such as tall fescue, orchard grass and Kentucky bluegrass. These don't do well in hot, dry weather, and in some parts of western Kentucky rain is 8 to 9 inches below normal. Lacefield says farmers can plant late-season pastures such as sudangrass, sorghum-sudangrass and pearl millet for emergency pasture for their animals should the dry conditions continue.