Pasture Planting
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Improving Forage Production
Planting grasses or legumes to improve forage production, enhance livestock nutrition, protect the soil from erosion and safeguard water quality.
Description
Establishing perennial grass cover provides quality forage for livestock, stabilizes eroding areas, filters runoff water, and provides wildlife habitat and cover.
Benefits
- Heavy grass cover slows water flow, reducing soil erosions.
- Protects water quality by filtering runoff water and increasing infiltration.
- Provides cover and habitat for wildlife.
- Increases organic matter in the soil.
Planning
- Are selected species suited to soil types?
- Will the species selected minimize pesticide and herbicide applications?
- Will the plant species selected meet livestock needs?
Tech Notes
- Use a current soil test to determine whether soil pH and nutrient levels need to be adjusted. For best results, allow several months before planting for lime applications to take effect.
- Before reseeding, graze or closely clip pastures.
- Use legumes to improve forage quality and extend the grazing season.
- Simple mixes of one grass plus one or two legumes are easier to manage and are generally preferred.
- Do not mix warm and cool season grasses in the same pasture.
- For most grasses and legumes, drill seed uniformly to a depth of 1/4 to 1/2 inch, or broadcast and cultipack on a conventionally prepared seedbed.
- For new pastures, plant a nurse crop on steeper slopes or where weeds may interfere with establishing a good stand. NRCS recommends seeding a small grain at 3/4 of a bushel per acres as a nurse crop.
Maintenance
- Wait until the pasture is well established before grazing.
- Mow weeds when they reach six to eight inches.
- Control persistent weeds with herbicides.
- Fertilize based on soil test results.