Pasture Ready?

[Zorro_Bones]

I'm in the process of getting a pen or two and a field sowed with SucraSeed Great Gains pasture seed, and am wondering if I should invest in a different pasture mix for the next fields. Any experience and/or knowledge on reseeding pasture/fields greatly appreciated.
Currently out of goats at the moment due to my mother's passing, will be back once the farm has restructured and is condusive to my needs and abilities.

[Alice In TX/MO]

What type of forage is that?

[Bearfootfarm]

Originally Posted by Alice In TX/MO

What type of forage is that?

88% (3 cultivars of Perennial Ryegrass)
13% Intermediate Ryegrass
10% Timothy
2% Ladino Clover

http://www.sucraseed.com/products_greatgains.php

I'm betting you could buy at cheaper "mix" by blending your own.

http://www.uwex.edu/ces/forage/pubs/ryegrass.htm

Perennial Ryegrass

Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) is native to Europe, Asia and North Africa. The U.S. has about 250,000 acres, most of which are in the northeast and on the pacific coast in Oregon and Washington. It is best adapted to mild-temperate climates. It is one of the highest quality forage grasses. The primary use of perennial ryegrass is for pasturing cattle and sheep cows.

Perennial ryegrass is more persistent than annual ryegrass but less persistent in the Midwest than other cool season grass species. It tillers more profusely but is lower growing than annual ryegrass and will not form a seed head in the seeding year. It is more susceptible to a summer slump than annual ryegrass. Perennial ryegrass will head early under dry conditions after the seeding year.

There are both diploid (two sets of chromosomes) and tetraploid (four sets of chromosomes) cultivars of perennial ryegrass. Tetraploids have larger tillers and seed heads and wider leaves. Tetraploid types tend to be taller and less dense than diploid types, even in early stages of regrowth. They are usually more disease resistant and may be higher yielding than diploid types. Few diploid varieties perform well in Wisconsin as they go dormant during mid-summer. Currently available tetraploid varieties are Bastion, Citadel, Condesa and Fantoom.

Perennial ryegrass should be grazed closely and frequently. It recovers rapidly and tillers extensively. Plants will not stockpile well and must have good snow cover to survive the winter.

Ryegrass is susceptible to crown rust. This disease can seriously defoliate the plant. Plant only rust resistant varieties if possible.

Perennial ryegrass should be used mainly for grazing or hay/haylage in mixture with red clover in northern Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin where snow cover makes 3-year stands likely. Perennial ryegrass, like other ryegrass types, can also be frost seeded in early spring to help maintain it as a component of a permanent pasture. Both forage and turf types of annual ryegrass are available, as with annual ryegrass, but plant only forage type should be planted cultivars for grazing or cut forage.

Intermediate (Short Rotation) Ryegrass

Intermediate, or short rotation ryegrass (Lolium hybridum, Hausska.), is the result of a cross between annual and perennial ryegrass. As such, it is intermediate in many of the above mentioned traits. It is less winter hardy but higher yielding than perennial ryegrass. Its uses would be similar to perennial ryegrass. Bison is the only currently available variety. Its recommended use would be for grazing or hay/haylage production in northern Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

[Alice In TX/MO]

You might want to make a trip to the local Extension Office and talk to their forage expert. Local growing conditions and what type of forage works in one place is *completely* different from location to location.

That seed mix would not work in my area at all.

[CaliannG]

Zorro_Bones, if you want pasture more conducive to goats, rather than cattle or horses, look into the deer pasture mixtures being used in your area.

Seeds mixtures used for deer pastures are very good for goat pastures, as they are both browsers and have much of the same requirements.

[motdaugrnds]

I suggest you visit your local ag agent and ask what is being used in your area for wild life.

I would, also, suggest you make sure the grass you plant is endophyte free or you will be asking for trouble down the road as endophytes will cause problems for "dairy" goats.

I would, also, suggest you think more in terms of "browse" rather than "graze" as goats like a variety of plants and do not graze like cows/horses do. (Even if you decide to prepare one pasture for browse and another for graze, that would work too.)

Also, you might want to consider whether or not what you plant can be put up for winter hay. (That has saved us a bundle of money each year.)

[Alice In TX/MO]

Just adding in you do not want fescue, as it causes birthing problems.