What Cattle Actually Eat in Winter: Prairie Dropseed

Join Colt Hamilton of Hamilton Native Outpost out in a dormant-season native grass field as he breaks down what cattle (and bison) really choose to graze during winter. In this video, you’ll see a side-by-side comparison of Prairie Dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis) and Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) after livestock have been turned in—and why grazing preference isn’t just about “what’s there,” but the winter palatability of the various grasses.

Colt walks you through:

• Why cattle target fine, wispy grasses like Prairie Dropseed in winter
• How plant structure impacts digestibility and intake
• What role surface area plays in rumen function
• How diverse native stands provide both quality and flexibility for winter grazing

If you’re planting or managing native warm-season grasses, this is a practical look at how livestock interact with your stand—and how to think about stockpiling and grazing strategy during the toughest part of the year.

If you would like some Prairie Dropseed for yourself we have you covered: https://hamiltonnativeoutpost.com/product/dropseed-prairie/

#nativegrasses #prairiedropseed #grazingmanagement #wintergrazing