Stockpile and windrow grazing can lengthen the fall grazing season in northern Minnesota, a University of Minnesota study revealed.

In 2007 and 2008, annual ryegrass was seeded in spring, grazed in summer and stockpiled in August. Half was clipped and raked into windrows, the rest was left standing. Pregnant Angus cows were turned into both treatments in early November the first year, late October the next.

Forage quality changed over time in both systems, but remained sufficient to meet pregnant beef cows' nutrient needs. Stockpiling provided several more days of grazing than windrows both years, but it was noted that significant snowfall could negatively impact forage utilization and animal performance in that system.