Winter grasses

[Brittboy12]

My wife and I are new to rotational pasturing and planting. With it getting colder, what can you plant that will grow throughout the winter months? We raise horses, cows, and pigs.

[collegeboundgal]

Some hint at a location would be reeeeaaaal helpful... otherwise, fescue.

[Brittboy12]

Originally Posted by collegeboundgal

Some hint at a location would be reeeeaaaal helpful... otherwise, fescue.

My bad! Upstate SC

[collegeboundgal]

Yep. Gonna have to still go with fescue. Nothing grows real well when its winter, but fescue stock piles extreamly well. I'm trusting you don't need this pasture this winter...

[Brittboy12]

Nah, I'm pretty well set for this year but I'm just thinking ahead. Hopefully gonna be getting some additional pastures cleared this spring

[collegeboundgal]

Hop over to the cattle forum and at the top of the page is a thread all about rotational grazing. In that thread is a bunch of info on different kinds of grasses that would suit you. Thread is chocked full of info. A real gem.

[Gravytrain]

Winter rye has served us well. Planted in the fall will give large quantities of early spring growth that the critters really like. It will reseed itself if allowed to, or you can overseed in the spring with whatever perennials you want in your pasture.

[Ramblin Wreck]

Fescue is your best year round bet, but like Gravytrain, I've used winter rye sometimes, especially in soil that is not producing fescue as it should. Rye has a stronger root system and will help "clear the way" for less hardy grasses. I think my Dad even planted some winter wheat in the pasture once, but I'm not sure what that did, if anything, long term for the soil or pasture. I'm sure the cows ate it though. Good luck.