Ca$h into Pasture

Awnry Abe · #1 09/05/12, 10:35 PM

The 5 inches Isaac left behind has emboldened me to replant a couple of pastures. I am sure the answer to my question is in the tomb of the rotational grazing sticky, but I am feeling a bit lazy after mowing to go look.

Please help me put the following list in proper order. The pastures in question is in relative poor condition to my others, did not bounce back, and has a decent weed collection. It has been in decline for the two years that I have mismanaged it.

Mow
Harrow
Broadcast ryegrass
Broadcast fescue
Fertilize
Graze

I don't own a drill. I am on the fence on the issue of weed wiping. I would appreciate feedback on what conditions to look for before proceeding to the next step. I'm USDA zone 6a ( a nice shade for pasture on the map).

Lastly, this is my "right now knee jerk" plan coming out of this drought (I hope). I am taking a calculated gamble that the 2 1/2 pastures that I am doing this with will yield suitable late winter/early spring grazing before the hay I purchased runs out. Whether that is the right or wrong approach is the subject for another post. Long term, I know it is wrong. For now, I just need the basics on successfully planting over sub par pasture.

myersfarm · #2 09/05/12, 11:24 PM

IS THAT RYEGRASS for grass OR RYE GRASS for GRAIN.....never had ryegrass for grass come up broadcasted.. and ryegrass for grain has been sold out for months near me ..but I see your in Missouri my soil converstion dept has a no till drill you can rent for $8 for a 7 foot or $15 for a 10 drill..... check with yours......what city are you near

Awnry Abe · #3 09/06/12, 06:47 AM

It is a marshal derivative. I don't recall the name. When I asked for marshall, the guy on the phone said, "We carry X, it is a modified form--an improved marsall." That is real good news about the drill. I am in Cass Co--not far from Harrisonville and the KC burbs. If I drill, I'll have lots left over.

myersfarm · #4 09/06/12, 11:34 AM

Marshall is the GRASS RYE ....THATsWHAT 3 PEOPLE IN MY AREA PLANTED AND NONE CAME UP BY BROADCASTING

agmantoo · #5 09/06/12, 09:30 PM

This is true Marshall rye grass that was broadcast seeded. Current price is $30/50lbs.
Ca$h into Pasture - Cattle

myersfarm · #6 09/06/12, 09:34 PM

why is it being bush hogged ?.....was this field disked before it was broadcasted or just broadcast on a pasture ?

myersfarm · #7 09/06/12, 09:36 PM

I have a baler and bale wrapper ....wish I
had something like that to put up in the summer

Lazy J · #8 09/06/12, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agmantoo

This is true Marshall rye grass that was broadcast seeded. Current price is $30/50lbs.
Ca$h into Pasture - Cattle

Why are you bushhogging that crop? Wow what a waste.

ycanchu2 · #9 09/06/12, 09:46 PM

Bushhogging like that will put a lot of seed in the soil bank.....a good thing IMO

myersfarm · #10 09/06/12, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ycanchu2

Bushhogging like that will put a lot of seed in the soil bank.....a good thing IMO

from the picture it sure does not look like mature seed to me

ycanchu2 · #11 09/06/12, 10:02 PM

I would drag the seed in with a grass harrow or equivalent and then turn the cattle in on it to pack it in like a cultipacker. I would probably forego the fert. until I saw that I had a good stand.if it don't take this fall I would try frost seeding the fescue in late winter.
You have probably overgrazed it like I have done most of my life. Everything must rest and recover, grass is no different.

ycanchu2 · #12 09/06/12, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myersfarm

from the picture it sure does not look like mature seed to me

Anything is possible.....but i'm guessing it is, from the heads being bowed over....all it needs is to be pollinated.

agmantoo · #13 09/06/12, 10:22 PM

The herd was wasting feed, trampling and manuring good forage. I ran the bushhog then put the poly wire temporary fence around what I allocated for them to eat. The seed were in the dough stage. PS....also I could not walk through the growth to put the poly wire up for rotational grazing without difficulty. I often cut paths in standing forage so that the temporary poly wire can be put up easily.

agmantoo · #14 09/06/12, 10:37 PM

myersfarm
The paddock in the pic was grazed short and the fescue was sparse so no prep work prior to planting.

I usually mix Ky 31 fescue and Marshall rye grass when I broadcast. I did sow a mix just today, 2 parts fescue and 1 part rye grass. I did clip weeds (drought impact) before sowing this time. Very marginal stands of fescue get roughly 18 lbs of fescue and roughly 9 lbs of rye grass per acre. Seed cost $23.40/acre

Awnry Abe · #15 09/06/12, 10:42 PM

Overgrazed. Yes. It's a long story but the goats are fenced in now and the pink-eye is under control. That side of my acreage suffers from poor infrastructure. The paddocks are too massive and water is a challenge over there. On this side of the road, I have small paddocks, water galore, and rapidly recovering pastures. I'm slowly working on long term fixes everywhere. I am just tip-toeing around bad skills and learning mistakes right now. I'm afraid the time to cull hard is coming fast. I think the grass will smile at me for it.

Awnry Abe · #16 09/06/12, 10:51 PM

So I've read before, and confirmed in this thread, that broadcasting ryegrass is hit or miss. Agmantoo, do you think all of your effort to improve the soil is the difference maker? I would be shocked if these pastures looked half that good if I drilled. Your 2:1 mix is what I was going to do, with a little turnip seed.

Fwiw, I have one pasture mowed low and ready for the next step. Very little grass, lots of junk. I did call the soil conservation dept. and got my name on the list for a drill. They guesstimate 2 weeks. Will I still be in a good planting window?

myersfarm · #17 09/06/12, 11:29 PM

glad you found the drill.....but I will just say will you have the 3 things in 2 weeks....temp in the 90 ?

Awnry Abe · #18 09/07/12, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myersfarm

glad you found the drill.....but I will just say will you have the 3 things in 2 weeks....temp in the 90 ?

I wonder how critical the temp is.

Turnips, for example, I have broadcast over my garden after first frost and have gotten turnips *plants* throughout the winter. I do know that there is a big difference in dark, rich garden soil's ability to soak and store radiant sun energy vs. my average pasture soil. It appears that some cooler temps are headed this way.

On the bright side, a friend has offered his seed drill. However, I am not a fan of borrowing stuff--too many spooky things lurking in this soil.