In the dual-purpose wheat country of Oklahoma, Kansas and the Texas Rolling Plains and Panhandle, many operations graze wheat in fall and winter and still harvest grain. The key date is first hollow stem (FHS).
What first hollow stem is
In late winter, the wheat plant starts to send up its stem. Right below the developing head, the stem becomes hollow.
The plant is at first hollow stem when that hollow section is 5/8 inch long, about the width of a dime. That's the Oklahoma Mesonet and OSU definition.
It's the best point to pull cattle if you want to make a grain crop.
Why it matters
Oklahoma research shows that grazing past FHS can cut grain yield by 1% to 5% per day. A week too long could cost as much as 35% of the yield. The Mesonet info sheet notes that economic studies found the extra cattle gain doesn't make up for the lost grain.
How to check your wheat
- Pick plants in an ungrazed spot. Use a small fenced-off area or an exclosure cage, because grazed plants can be misleading.
- Dig up a few plants, keeping the roots on.
- Split the largest stem lengthwise with a knife.
- Measure the hollow space between the roots and the developing head.
- 5/8 inch or more means FHS. Check several plants, in several spots.
Wheat varieties differ. Planting date, temperature and rain all shift when FHS hits.
Use the Mesonet First Hollow Stem Advisor
The Oklahoma Mesonet has an FHS Advisor. It uses soil temperatures to estimate the odds your wheat has reached FHS. Varieties are grouped as early, middle or late.
- Start checking plants when the Advisor shows a 5% chance. Development can speed up fast after that.
- If you don't scout, pull cattle by the 50% date.
Stocking and grazing tips (K-State Forage Facts)
- Grazing can usually begin 4 to 8 weeks after planting, once there's 6 to 12 inches of growth and good roots.
- Fall and winter stocking often runs 250 to 500 lb of animal per acre, which is roughly 1 to 2 acres per stocker. Spring rates are often 1.5 to 2 times higher.
- Wheat pasture is high in protein (often 20–30%). Average stocker gains commonly run 1.5 to 2.5 lb per day.
- Pull cattle in very wet weather to avoid trampling, and in extreme cold (about 15°F or lower) to protect the plants.
Watch for bloat and grass tetany
- Bloat risk is highest during 3- to 4-week stretches of lush growth in fall and early spring.
- Don't turn hungry cattle onto lush wheat.
- K-State lists feeding poloxalene (sold as Bloat-Guard) as the most effective prevention.
- Feeding hay, silage or grain with an ionophore such as monensin (Rumensin) or lasalocid (Bovatec) also helps.
- Grass tetany (low blood magnesium) is a risk, mostly in older, lactating cows. Ask your vet or extension agent about a high-magnesium mineral.
Drought and wheat pasture
In a dry fall, wheat may not make enough grazing at all. Small grains are a separate pasture type for the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP), and they can qualify even when native pasture doesn't. Check FSA's LFP tables for your county's small-grain categories.
Cownty can text you drought and LFP status for your county's small-grain pasture types.
Cownty is an independent service and is not affiliated with OSU, K-State, the Oklahoma Mesonet or USDA. This is general information. Your extension agent can help with local conditions.
Check your county
Every county, by state: Texas · Oklahoma · Kansas · New Mexico
Official sources
- Oklahoma Mesonet – Wheat First Hollow Stem info sheet (FHS Advisor)
- Oklahoma Mesonet
- Oklahoma State University Extension – First Hollow Stem: A Critical Wheat Growth Stage for Dual-Purpose Producers (PSS-2147)
- K-State Research and Extension – Forage Facts: Grazing Wheat Pasture
- FSA – LFP eligible pasture types (small grains)
Rules and dates checked against these pages on Oct 18, 2026. Information only, not legal, tax, insurance or financial advice: the agency decides. Not affiliated with USDA or any government agency.