I need to seed my pasture this fall.

o&itw · #21 02/01/13, 08:23 AM

Both goats and cattle are going to do well on mixed red clover pasture. From what I can tell, it is more a grass/ broadleaf thing. When one thinks of weed in a pasture, the are usually thinking of broadleaf plants. I don't have goats, but from what I can tell on this forum, goats like alfalfa, clover, and lespedeza..... so do cattle. I get the idea that it is mostly grasses that goats aren't fond of.

wannabechef · #22 02/01/13, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sherry in Iowa

Sure glad you are not next to my property. I feel you're okay with that type of bluntness. I would guess I'd be as upset about the spray "drifting" my way from your place.

I control what I spray...I am licensed and responsible.

Hannah90 · #23 02/02/13, 06:50 AM

lespedeza. Never heard of it. Thanks for the input folks. This has given me a lot to think about. I guess they'll have fun clearing the weeds given I can keep them IN the pasture. Naughty naughty goats.

Sherry in Iowa · #24 02/02/13, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wannabechef

I control what I spray...I am licensed and responsible.

Wow..you control the wind. I need to get licensed and responsible like you!

wannabechef · #25 02/02/13, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sherry in Iowa

Wow..you control the wind. I need to get licensed and responsible like you!

Pretty ignorant reply I might say...

Never said I controlled the wind now did I?

Sherry in Iowa · #26 02/02/13, 09:16 AM

Don't know where you live..but the breeze catches spray just like weed seed gets caught by it. Resorting to name calling?

wannabechef · #27 02/02/13, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sherry in Iowa

Don't know where you live..but the breeze catches spray just like weed seed gets caught by it. Resorting to name calling?

So the logical time to spray would be when it's calm right? There is also equipment that keeps drift to a minimum or even eliminates it. I'm not suggesting a crop duster.

Never called you a name...said you were ignorant which means you lack knowledge in something. Failure to understand something is ignorant.

It is quite likely I know more about how and when to spray chemicals since I've been doing it for years and I have passed the requirements and have obtained my license. This makes you ignorant in the subject.

Sherry in Iowa · #28 02/02/13, 12:31 PM

You are special wannabe

..spray good..weeds evil.

You're right..you're licensed and educated to spray it.

I only worked for Monsanto in Muscatine, blending and canning the stuff. Second woman to be uh.."educated" to do so..they call it "qualified" and give ya a fat raise. So quite naturally I bow to your expertise..what would I know about that stuff?! The emulsifier alone gives me the willies.

wannabechef · #29 02/02/13, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sherry in Iowa

You are special wannabe

..spray good..weeds evil.

You're right..you're licensed and educated to spray it.

I only worked for Monsanto in Muscatine, blending and canning the stuff. Second woman to be uh.."educated" to do so..they call it "qualified" and give ya a fat raise. So quite naturally I bow to your expertise..what would I know about that stuff?! The emulsifier alone gives me the willies.

Just because you make it doesn't mean you know how to apply it. I know people who work at GM assembling cars and they couldn't change a set of spark plugs.

If I work at a doctors office as a clerical person, based on what you are saying this would make me a Doctor.

wannabechef · #30 02/02/13, 02:18 PM

It's great that I worked at my fathers civil engineering firm for 13 years...now I am qualified to design roads and bridges!

Crazy Farmgirl · #31 02/02/13, 02:41 PM

Since you are planning to do this in the fall this is what I would do:

Take note of what plant varieties are growing there now, if there are a lot of weed I would definitely spray to kill them off. You will be very disappointed if you put a bunch of money into seeding only to have the weeds choke out and take over. While it is true that goats like weeds they also do very well on planted legume/grass pasture, mine are raised exclusively on rotational grazing on pasture I seeded and I am meticulous about controlling weeds: that is my hard earned money and I prefer not to have it thrown away when the weeds take over or reduce the production of the stand.

Have a soil sample done on the field, know what your working with and if or how much fertilizer and lime is needed to obtain the best results. I understand tight budgets but if your are going to do this do the best you can to get the most from your investment.

As far as which type of seeding: plow/disc/seed, no-till drill or frost planting I would look into the compaction of the soil. If it is hard packed and heavy I would strongly suggest some type of drilling to break up the soil, that will greatly affect what you plant and how it does.

I would contact your local extension office to find out which plants do well in your area and what the seeding rates should be for the mixes. They have tons of info and usually are more than willing to help with making good decision on what plants for what purpose. I would also find a farmer in your area who does his own planting and pick their brain about what has worked or not.

What you want to do is certainly doable with the right info and strategy for your area and proper maintenance. Most times there is no plant and forget about it, you will need to keep on top of weed management and nutrient availability of the soil, some type of fertilizing would be suggested as needed. Does not have to be commercial type fertilizing, I take advantage of the animals fertilizing and supplement only if needed. Start your processes as soon as you can so that you are not in a hurry to get it done at the last minute. I generally have to purchase my seeds a bag at time while I can afford it and store them until I'm ready to seed. I make my decision on what to plant early in the year then contact my suppliers to find out prices and I watch prices and hope to get them when they are cheapest, they generally know ahead of time if prices are going to jump or fall.

I don't know your area and what does well there but can tell you for my area and animals (Meat/Milk goats & beef cows) I have pastures planted in varieties or Alfalfa, clover, lespedeza, orchard grass, timothy and perennial rye grass. I generally use a covercrop like oats or barley to help protect the new stand unless I no-till or overseed into an existing stand.

wannabechef · #32 02/02/13, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crazy Farmgirl

Since you are planning to do this in the fall this is what I would do:

Take note of what plant varieties are growing there now, if there are a lot of weed I would definitely spray to kill them off. You will be very disappointed if you put a bunch of money into seeding only to have the weeds choke out and take over. While it is true that goats like weeds they also do very well on planted legume/grass pasture, mine are raised exclusively on rotational grazing on pasture I seeded and I am meticulous about controlling weeds: that is my hard earned money and I prefer not to have it thrown away when the weeds take over or reduce the production of the stand.

Have a soil sample done on the field, know what your working with and if or how much fertilizer and lime is needed to obtain the best results. I understand tight budgets but if your are going to do this do the best you can to get the most from your investment.

As far as which type of seeding: plow/disc/seed, no-till drill or frost planting I would look into the compaction of the soil. If it is hard packed and heavy I would strongly suggest some type of drilling to break up the soil, that will greatly affect what you plant and how it does.

I would contact your local extension office to find out which plants do well in your area and what the seeding rates should be for the mixes. They have tons of info and usually are more than willing to help with making good decision on what plants for what purpose. I would also find a farmer in your area who does his own planting and pick their brain about what has worked or not.

What you want to do is certainly doable with the right info and strategy for your area and proper maintenance. Most times there is no plant and forget about it, you will need to keep on top of weed management and nutrient availability of the soil, some type of fertilizing would be suggested as needed. Does not have to be commercial type fertilizing, I take advantage of the animals fertilizing and supplement only if needed. Start your processes as soon as you can so that you are not in a hurry to get it done at the last minute. I generally have to purchase my seeds a bag at time while I can afford it and store them until I'm ready to seed. I make my decision on what to plant early in the year then contact my suppliers to find out prices and I watch prices and hope to get them when they are cheapest, they generally know ahead of time if prices are going to jump or fall.

I don't know your area and what does well there but can tell you for my area and animals (Meat/Milk goats & beef cows) I have pastures planted in varieties or Alfalfa, clover, lespedeza, orchard grass, timothy and perennial rye grass. I generally use a covercrop like oats or barley to help protect the new stand unless I no-till or overseed into an existing stand.

Great suggestion on the soil test...very important.

As far as cover crop, annual rye works just about everywhere and it's pretty inexpensive.

Hannah90 · #33 02/02/13, 04:17 PM

Must... fight... the... thread drift....

I hope that the goats will do a good job of tackling the weeds this year. I can only pray I have enough hay to get me through the end of April so the pasture has some time to grow. I am also fencing in my front yard so they can be little lawn mowers

Crazy Farmgirl · #34 02/03/13, 09:18 AM

If you don't want to spray to control weeds you should still employ some manner of weed control to protect your planted stand. Starting early this spring by clipping them often (graze some clip the rest) and never letting them go to seed you will diminish the numbers by fall then after planting continue, same next spring. Large established plants like thistle should be dug. It takes more time and labor but can be done.

Sherry in Iowa · #35 02/03/13, 09:20 AM

We clip the pods of the thistle..they are pink. Throw them in a sack and burn them.

wannabechef · #36 02/03/13, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crazy Farmgirl

If you don't want to spray to control weeds you should still employ some manner of weed control to protect your planted stand. Starting early this spring by clipping them often (graze some clip the rest) and never letting them go to seed you will diminish the numbers by fall then after planting continue, same next spring. Large established plants like thistle should be dug. It takes more time and labor but can be done.

Yeah, thistle is a nasty weed, being a perennial it will persist and only get worse. To allow thistle to continue to grow is not only bad for your own stand of grass, but its not polite for any adjoining neighbors with pasture (In some areas I even think its illegal to allow them to grow since they are prolific seeders). Hand digging is an option for those who don't want to use chemicals, but either 24d or spot spraying the plant with Glyphosate and tossing some seed in the bare spots will assure that you get rid of them.