Calling on Agman's expertise (and whoever else)

TSYORK · #1 12/27/08, 03:20 PM

I have a well established pasture (7-8 acres) that I'm going to run 5-7 head on this spring/summer/fall. These animals will be just weaned steers. I will keep two, at most three, of these animals for person/family/close friends slaughter. The rest will be carted off to the sale. As stated previously, I've got a good stand of grass already, but I do need to overseed this spring with some additional grass seed. I was thinking about putting a little orchard grass and alfalfa in the mix as well. Agman, what would you recommend? Will it hurt to overseed my pasture and then have calves grazing it. I plan on using a rotational system grazing. Also, it may only be feasible for me to put 4-5 calves on this, so the grazing impact will be less than if I had 7 running on it. My three most important questions are:

1. What grass do you recommend for overseeding, as well as how much per acre?

2. Will it hurt for the calves to graze it, since there is already a good stand already on the land?

3. Would you recommend putting a little alfalfa in the mix?

TIA,

agmantoo · #2 12/27/08, 06:05 PM

TS, your statement that you already have 7-8 acres of well established pasture is a major plus. The most bountiful yield for the spring/summer/fall will be from this existing pasture provided it is utilized properly.. Newly planted forages cannot compete with the preexisting plants and will not get the root establishment needed to survive grazing. You can over seed thin spots in the fall and let the cattle walk the seed in. With the headcount you anticipate having, maximizing this forage will meet your needs and at the same time improve the pasture for future years. Most NC soils are acidic and you need to take a soil sample. Getting the PH correct is the cheapest and the easiest thing you can control and will give the most return. The results from the soil sample will give recommendations for fertilizer if required. Call your extension agent and inquire about the source for the boxes and mailing instructions and do this now as the state is behind in evaluating samples. If lime is required it needs applied ASAP. If your pasture wasn't grazed last fall you need to rotary mow the tops off now down to about 6 inches to promote early growth when the weather warms I would want calves large enough to take advantage of the first spring forage growth. I would buy the calves now before the spring price hike. These small calves will not eat much and you can have them ready to graze (75 days away) for cheap. Those calves will be large enough to start rotating through your acreage when the time is right. Some poly wire and pigtail posts and a fence charger will need to be on hand not later than mid March. At the end of January you could over seed some Ladino clover. The clover will provide some grazing along with nitrogen for the grass. Your main obstacle will be getting through late July and all of August if water is lacking. With your head count, pasture preparation and rotating paddocks there should be some stockpiled grass for late July and August. In the 3rd week of August you need to top dress with nitrogen, use chicken litter if available. If it is dry do not use urea. If conditions are ideal, toss on some diamonia phosphate (DAP). This will carry the forage into winter and hopefully allow you to stock pile for Dec. and Jan. As this plays out, I would schedule the processor. Sell the animals that are going to be marketed in the fall and get them off the groceries. Are any of your immediate neighbors growing KY 31 fescue?

TSYORK · #3 12/27/08, 09:33 PM

I applied a ton of 18-9-9 last Spring, but didn't allow any grazing last year on it. I did let the grass seed out then it was mowed for mulching. The second growth was harvested for hay, which I have the bulk of it still in the barn. I do have a steer (800 lbs) tied out on a small portion of the area now. He has gotten so dog-gone mean, that's the only way I can deal with him. He is a fence jumper so I have no way of keeping him on the farm, except tying him out. He is scheduled for the processors January 11th. I rotary mowed the pasture today, although I probably cut it off a little shorter than six inches from the ground. I have a load of calves coming in about 2 weeks, so they will be weaned by the first week in March and will be put on the pasture. I have found a fence charger that is put out by (I think the name of it is) FieldMaster, which delivers about a 6-joule, 14k volt rating. The gentlman at the locally owned farm supply store said it is like the Parmak charger you previously suggested; it is a 50-mile charger. I have a pond on my land that I could possible irrigate the pasture if things become too dry in late summer. With only 4 calves, I think I hopefully have enough hay. I have 3 6x6 large round bales that probably weight one-ton each, plus and additional 225 square bales stacked in the barn. I have local chicken litter available from a farmer a mile down the road, who raises chickens himself.

What is your suggestion for overseeding with Ladino Clover in January. How many pounds to the acre should I be looking at?

TIA,