John Fouts Start Your Pasture Right

USDA Developed by: Rhonda Miller Utah State University Starting Over: Pasture Establishment and Renovation

What we’ll be covering: Introduction Forage establishment Factors to consider prior to renovation Plant characteristics Characteristics of individual grasses and legumes UNCE, Reno, NV

Does your pasture need help? Fertilization Weed control Proper management Renovation USU, Logan, UT

Definitions Establishment - planting a pasture where there is no existing pasture Renovation - series of actions that lead to a long-term change in the botanical composition of a pasture Partial renovation Total renovation

Type of renovation Partial renovation Rejuvenation or enhancement of existing pasture Generally done when poor forage stands result from winter injury, drought, flooding, or other stresses Total renovation Destruction followed by reestablishment of either the same species or another species

Definitions Species - refers to the type of plant such as alfalfa, sweet clover, smooth bromegrass, etc. Cultivar - refers to a specific variety within a specie. York, Saratoga, and Bravo are all improved varieties of smooth bromegrass.

Benefits of renovation Replaces old or diseased pasture species with healthy improved varieties Extends or increases productivity of pasture Improves quality of forage Increases animal productivity Reduces soil erosion Reduces pollution potential

When to renovate? Renovate when: Pasture is in poor condition and even proper management techniques will not improve pasture to desired level You want to grow a different forage specie or variety UNCE, Reno, NV

Forage establishment

Forage establishment Seedbed preparation Seeding methods Seeding guidelines Seeding rates Costs USU, Logan, UT

Forage establishment Seedbed preparation Seed requirements Tillage Other forms of seedbed preparation Fertility & pH USU, Logan, UT

Seedbed preparation Goal - Control weeds and provide a firm seedbed with just enough loose surface soil for shallow seed placement and good seed-to-soil contact

Seedbed preparation Seed requirements Minimal soil temperature Moisture Oxygen Seed-to-soil contact Accomplish by creating a firm, moist seedbed

Seedbed preparation Importance of a firm, moist seedbed Essential for: Proper seed placement Good soil-seed contact Successful establishment

Seedbed preparation Deep tillage (plow) Disc Roller harrow or cultipacker Creating a firm seedbed takes proper tillage

Seedbed preparation Purpose of tillage Eliminate existing vegetation Turn under surface weed seeds Loosen soil Incorporate fertilizer and lime Provide firm seedbed for seeding

Seedbed preparation Other forms of seedbed preparation Close clipping or grazing Burning Non-selective herbicide USU, Logan, UT

Seedbed preparation Fertility & pH Base on soil test Add lime if pH is low Determine reasonable yield Add appropriate nutrients Phosphorus and potassium Nitrogen

Forage establishment Seeding guidelines Planting dates Seeding depth Inoculation of legumes Why forage seedings fail

Seeding guidelines Planting dates Late winter - early spring Late summer - early fall

Planting dates Late winter- early spring seeding Late February to early May More common in northern U.S. Soil moisture usually good If too early soil can be cold, resulting in fungal diseases If too late, soil can be dry and seedlings desiccate

Planting dates Late summer - early fall seeding August to mid-October Less competition from weeds Liming, fertilization, and tillage done during drier weather thereby reducing compaction Fungal diseases reduced Note: Seedlings need to have at least six weeks of growth before killing frost

Seeding guidelines Seeding depth Approximately ¼ inch Varies with: Soil type Soil moisture Time of seeding Firmness of seedbed clay.agr.okstate.edu

Seeding guidelines Inoculation of legumes All legumes should be inoculated with the proper strains of N-fixing bacteria prior to seeding Ensures that proper bacteria will be present for nitrogen fixation

Forage establishment Why forage seedings fail Germination through emergence After emergence

Why forage seedings fail Germination through emergence Hard seed Temperature Improper planting depth Seed dries out Crusted soil surface Toxicity - allelopathic effects, herbicide carryover clay.agr.okstate.edu

Why forage seedings fail After emergence Undesirable pH Low fertility Poor drainage Drought Inadequate legume inoculation Competition from weeds/companion crops Insects Diseases, winterkilling clay.agr.okstate.edu

Forage establishment Seeding methods Broadcast Cultipacker Drilled No-Till Frost seeding Companion crop USU

Broadcast seeding Cheapest and easiest method of seeding Typically drag or pack the soil after broadcasting the seed Tilled seedbed Seed placement not uniform

Cultipacker seeding Consists of 2 sets of rollers with seed boxes between them Commonly used on tilled seedbeds Don’t use on heavy soils

Drill seeding Directly plants each seed into tilled soil at the proper depth Need to use a forage drill Grain drills will have poor seed placement for small forage seeds UNCE, Reno, NV

No-till seeding Plants seed directly into existing sod or vegetation Solid planting Band planting Requires a no-till planter Reduces erosion Conserves soil moisture Reduced fuel, labor, and time requirements

Frost seeding Seed broadcast in late winter on soil surface Freezing & thawing action plus rain will cover seed Works well with Red Clover UNCE

Companion crop seeding A companion crop is a small grain crop (i.e. oats) planted with spring- seeded grasses and legumes. Advantages: Can be cut or grazed for feed Provides a quick ground cover Helps control soil erosion Reduces invasion of weeds Disadvantages: Competes for nutrients, light, & moisture Good management essential USDA

Forage establishment Seeding rates Desired stand Pure live seed % Other factors to consider

Seeding rates Desired Stand Varies based on: Forage species planted Ability to fill in (rhizomes, etc.) % Hard seed Mixture, pure-stand, companion crop Availability of water clay.agr.okstate.edu NRCS

Seeding rates Pure live seed percent (PLS) %PLS = %Purity x %Germination %Purity = % of seed that is the desired forage seed %Germination = % of seed that germinates when planted

Seeding rates Other factors to consider Seeding method used Seeding rate affected by uniformity of seed placement Condition of seedbed Allelopathic toxins

Forage establishment Costs Tillage Seed Reduced yield in first year

Costs Tillage Plowing Moldboard $10.00 to $15.00/acre Chisel$8.00 to $12.00/acre Disc/Harrow Tandem disc$6.00 to $10.00/acre Harrow/Cultipacker$4.50 to $6.00/acre Planting Conventional$7.00 to $10.00/acre No-till$10.00 to $16.00/acre

Costs Seed: Varies by species and variety Grasses Orchardgrass $ $1.60/lb. (15 lb/ac) Smooth Bromegrass $3.50/lb. (15 lb/ac) Timothy $.95 - $1.45/lb. (12 lb/ac) Tall Fescue $ $1.75/lb. (35 lb/ac) Legumes White Clover $ $3.85/lb.(2-3 lb/ac) Birdsfoot Trefoil $4.30/lb. (8 lb/ac) Alfalfa $3.25/lb (12-15 lb/ac)

Costs Reduced yield in first year Spring-seeding Reduced number of cuttings first year Reduced yield per cutting Fall-seeding No harvest of new crop during year of establishment Reduced yield (of previous crop) during year of establishment Ground preparation Time for establishment

Factors to consider prior to establishment or renovation

Factors to consider Pasture inventory Land wvailable Climate Soil fharacteristics Forage use Livestock Grazing vs. hay production Continuous grazing vs. rotational grazing USDA

Pasture inventory Land available Grazing land Water source(s) “Sacrifice” Area Hay production

Pasture inventory Climate Growing season Frost-free days Growing degree days (GDD) Temperature Precipitation USDA

Pasture inventory Soil characteristics Drainage Water holding capacity (droughtiness) OSU Extension Service

Forage use Livestock Different animals have different nutritional requirements and forage preferences Horses (timothy grass) Dairy cattle (perennial ryegrass Beef cattle (tall fescue)

Forage use Grazing vs. hay production Determine primary use Many forages that are good for hay production are not good for grazing, and vice-versa. Upright growth habit - better for hay production Trampling effects

Forage use: Continuous grazing vs. rotational grazing Continuous grazing Easy Reduced yields Rotational grazing More management Higher yields More infrastructure required UNCE, Reno, NV

Plant characteristics

Grasses Legumes Seasonal growth patterns Disease resistance Forage quality Pure stands or Mixtures

Grasses Growth habit Bunchgrass Sod-forming grass Stolon Rhizome Re-growth Jointing Non-jointing Grasses are more tolerant of poor soil conditions Require nitrogen fertilizer NRCS

Legumes Legumes fix nitrogen from the air Growth habit Upright (Sainfoin) Prostrate (Birdsfoot Trefoil) New Growth Axillary (Sweet Clover) Crown (Red Clover) Axillary & crown (Alfalfa) clay.agr.okstate.edu

Seasonal growth distribution Forages have different growth patterns Grasses Cool Season Warm Season Forages ISU

Insect & disease resistance & winter hardiness Disease resistance/ winter hardiness Genetically inherited traits Select disease resistant varieties Select varieties with good winter hardiness if in cold climate Intended years of use clay.agr.okstate.edu

Forage quality Quality Forage intake Palatability Nutritive value Digestibility Chemical composition

Plant characteristics Pure stands or mixtures Pure stands Mixtures Principles for composing mixtures

Should I plant a pure stand? Advantages Management is easier Weed control easier Disadvantages Lower yield

Should I plant a mixture? Advantages Higher yields Legumes fix nitrogen, reducing the need for nitrogen fertilizer in grasses Tolerate wider differences in soil conditions More competitive against weeds

Should I plant a mixture? Disadvantages Grazing management more difficult, especially if growth habits not similar If not managed properly grasses will dominate Weeds more difficult to control clay.agr.okstate.edu

Principles for composing mixtures Keep the mixture simple Similar maturity date Similar palatability Similar growth habit

Characteristics of individual grasses & legumes

Cool season grass cultivars Most productive in the spring and fall Poor summer production NRCS

Kentucky Bluegrass Advantages: Good quality Withstands animal traffic Good tolerance to close grazing Disadvantages: Low yield potential Poor drought & heat tolerance Likes well-drained soil NRCS

Basin Wildrye Advantages: Good forage for wildlife Hardy, long-lived Tolerates salt and alkali areas Disadvantages: Easily damaged by over- grazing NRCS

Garrison Creeping Foxtail Advantages: Likes wet soils Highly palatable High yield Disadvantages: May invade canals, ditches, etc.

Meadow Bromegrass Advantages: Good yield potential Good re-growth Tolerant of close grazing Disadvantages: Not tolerant of acidic and poorly-drained soils

Orchard Grass Advantages: Good quality Good re-growth Shade tolerant Disadvantages: Suffers when grazed continually NRCS

Perennial Ryegrass Advantages: Very good quality Easy to establish Good tolerance to close grazing Disadvantages: Poor drought & heat tolerance Poor shade tolerance Likes well-drained soils

Reed Canary Grass Disadvantages: Lack of palatability Produces best when intensely grazed Poor drought & heat tolerance Advantages: Good quality Good re-growth Adapted to wide range of conditions, including wet soils NRCS

Smooth Brome Advantages: Usually grown with a legume Graze after stem elongation Provides good mid- summer grazing High quality Disadvantages: Aggressive and can take over a pasture NRCS

Tall Fescue Advantages: Good quality Tillering stimulated through frequent grazing Moderately winter hardy Active fall growth Disadvantages: Must be endophyte free NRCS

Timothy Advantages: High quality Easy to establish Winter hardy Disadvantages: Sensitive to frequent defoliation Poor re-growth Poor summer production Not suited to droughty soils NRCS

Crested Wheatgrass Advantages: Drought resistant Winter-hardy Vigorous seedlings Disadvantages: Needs to be grazed throughout season to maintain palatability Goes dormant during hot summer

Tall Wheatgrass Advantages: Tolerant of salty and alkali soils Good winter forage Disadvantages: Does not tolerate continuous, close grazing Low forage value

Warm season grasses Productive during summer months Must be suitable for your area NRCS

Switchgrass Advantages: Productive during hot summer months Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions Disadvantages: Not suited for cool climates May be difficult to establish NRCS

Legumes Fix nitrogen from atmosphere May cause bloat clay.agr.state.edu

Alfalfa Advantages: Excellent quality Drought tolerant Disadvantages: Causes bloat Potential for heaving clay.agr.okstate.edu NRCS

Alsike Clover Advantages: Excellent quality Grows in variety of soils and conditions Disadvantages: Can graze frequently, but not closely Much lower yielding than alfalfa

Birdsfoot Trefoil Advantages: Excellent quality Grows in variety of soils and conditions Non-bloat legume Disadvantages: Can graze frequently, but not closely Slow to establish NRCS

Cicer Milkvetch Advantages: Non-bloat legume Good forage quality Disadvantages: Slow to establish Slow re-growth clay.agr.okstate.edu

Red Clover Advantages: Good quality Easy to establish Works well with frost seeding Disadvantages: Generally does not persist after two growing seasons NRCS

Strawberry Clover Advantages: Suited for grazing Suited for semi-wet and salty soils Disadvantages: Not suited for hay production Not as productive as white clover

Sainfoin Advantages: Good quality Well adapted to soils of the Rocky Mountain Region Good drought tolerance Non-bloat legume Disadvantages: Intolerant of frequent defoliation clay.agr.okstate.edu

White Clover Advantages: Excellent quality Good tolerance to close grazing Withstands continuous grazing Grows best during cool moist seasons on well drained soils Disadvantages: Low yielding May cause bloat NRCS

What to do next: Determine if your pasture requires improvement Determine your goals for the improvement or renovation Determine the best and most cost effective method to achieve your goals Determine the best plants to use for your area and for your goals