Grazing early in the season (April and May) reduces reliance on stored feed and allows beef producers to make the most of stockpiled perennial forage resources. According to the 2025 Canadian Cow-Calf Adoption Rates and Performance Levels Report, up to 61% of Canadian producers winter cattle on pasture for all or part of the season. For those not using confined feeding, early spring grazing offers a natural transition from winter feeding or grazing into the spring and summer grazing period.
This approach isn’t simply about moving cattle from pen to pasture; it involves strategically managing cool-season grasses to balance nutrition, regrowth potential, and pasture longevity. With the right timing, species selection, and rest strategies, producers can effectively utilize stockpiled forage and cool-season tame grasses to begin grazing before warm-season or native forages are ready.