Early Spring Grazing | Timing it Right on a Diverse Native Grassland

In this video, Colt Hamilton of Hamilton Native Outpost walks you through a real-world grazing strategy for diverse native grasslands (DNG) in the very early spring (February and March).

Learn how to balance dormant warm-season grasses with emerging cool-season growth to keep your cattle performing – even before spring fully arrives. You’ll see how cattle utilize a mix of brown residual and fresh green forage, and why removing just ⅓ to ½ of new growth is the key to sustainable grazing and fast recovery.

Colt also looks at a burned grassland in this video and discusses how he is strategically using burning to jumpstart spring forage production and boost forage quality when cattle prices are high.

We also cover:

1. How to manage cattle condition through winter.

2. When weight gain should (and shouldn’t) happen.

3. Adjusting stocking rates for native systems.

4. Reducing supplementation while maintaining performance If you’re grazing native pastures.

This is the kind of practical, experience-driven management that makes the difference between getting by and getting ahead. Hamilton Native Outpost brings over 40 years of hands-on experience with native grasses and wildflowers—helping you build productive, resilient land for the long haul.