Best Types of Pasture Grass Seed for Cattle

The best type of cow pasture seed depends largely on your planting region. For Northern and Transition zones, choose cool-season grass seed varieties such as tall fescue, timothy, and perennial ryegrass.

For Southern regions, warm-season grass seed like bermuda grass is ideal. Select our Chilly Verde variety for extreme cold tolerance, or the common bermudagrass option for drought resistance and heavy grazing resilience.

How to Grow Grass for Cattle

To grow healthy cattle grass, follow these planting tips:

• Check that the soil pH level is between 5.5 and 7.0. If your soil is too acidic, add agricultural lime.
• Add legume seed to boost protein and fix natural nitrogen. Plant clover seed or alfalfa seed alongside your preferred cattle grass seed.
• Sow cattle pasture seed in spring or late summer. Ideal planting months are April, May, July, August, and September.
• Keep cattle off newly planted pasture grass until it is established enough to tolerate grazing.

Check out our pasture grass guide for additional planting tips.

FAQs

What is the best grass for cattle to gain weight?

The best cattle grass seed for achieving reliable, sustained weight gain are varieties with high crude protein and excellent fiber digestibility. Try big bluestem, switchgrass, orchard grass, or perennial ryegrass mixed with legume seed for nutritious cattle forage.

Can cattle survive on just grass?

Some cattle can survive on grass alone. Cows that are maintaining their weight and are not lactating can survive on pure pasture or grass hay. However, for cows that produce large amounts of milk or otherwise burn high amounts of energy, supplemental feed may be required.

What is endophyte-free seed?

For cattle grazing, it is important to choose grass seed that is free of endophytes, which are fungi that can be dangerous to livestock and can cause lower milk production, poor weight gain, and reproductive issues. Our Forage Fescue Pasture Grass Seed is 100% endophyte-free and safe for grazing.

Need help choosing the right cattle grass seed for your pasture? Contact us and our experienced team can assist.