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GOOD MANAGEMENT PAYS

• Soil Test
• Fertilizer According to Soil Test
• Seed Good Mixtures
• Rotate Grazing

WHATCOM COUNTY

SEEDING RECOMENDATIONS

ESTABLISHING AND MANAGING PASTURES

David Grusenmeyer
Whatcom Co. Extension Agent

SOIL TEST
Soil testing to determine a soil’s lime and fertilizer need is the first step to establishing a good pasture. To produce healthy plants and rapid growth the seeding must be given a favorable soil pH and adequate nutrients. The only way to provide this favorable environment accurately is by soil testing, then fertilizing and liming based on test results. Soil test materials and directions are available at the County Extension office and many fertilizer dealers. Allow two or three weeks for results to be returned.

SEED BED PREPARATION
A well prepared seedbed is essential for obtaining a good stand. Plowing is the best method of seedbed preparation under most conditions. After plowing it will be necessary to disc the field several times to achieve a fine textured, firm seedbed. A desirable seedbed assures contact between soil and seed. A rototiller may also be used. The important thing is to destroy old vegetation and have a smooth soil surface. In either case, do not overwork the soil as this may cause compaction, destroys soil tilth and exposes soil to greater moisture evaporation which is detrimental to seed germination. No-till grass seeders may be used but all existing vegetation should first be killed or severely stunted with herbicides. Check for current, legal herbicide recommendations and rates before application.

PLANTING TIME
The two best periods to establish new grass seedings are from early April to mid May and early September to early October. The important thing to keep in mind is, the new seeding must have adequate moisture for germination and growth. Planting during the dry periods of the year will require irrigation.

SEEDING
A grass seed drill will give the best stand. If the drill is not equipped with a soil packaging device a cultipacker or roller should be pulled over the soil after seeding. Broadcasting the seed by hand or machine can be successful but the seed should then be harrowed in and rolled. As a very minimum, at least drag a heavy bar or angle iron over the seedbed after broadcasting. It is important to cover the seed with about ¼ to ? inch of soil. With the broadcast seeding method, germination is generally poor because some seeds are not covered by soil. For this reason broadcasting requires a slightly higher seeding rate, about 1.25 – 1.50 times the recommended rate.

If a grain is used in the pasture seeding as a companion crop, it should be seeded at a reduced rate and removed for green chop or silage.

FERTILIZATION – NEW SEEDING
The seedbed should be fertilized according to the soil test recommendations. If lime is required, it should be applied several months prior to incorporation of phosphorus containing fertilizers and seeding. This will allow time for the lime to dissolve and raise soil pH as well as avoid undesirable chemical interactions.

If no soil test is available, 250 pound of 12-24-24 per acre may be an adequate fertilizer application for establishment of a grass-clover pasture. Minor elements such as magnesium, boron, or sulfur may be required but should only be applied based on a soil test.

All fertilizer recommendations made here assume zero or insignificant application of livestock manure. Use of livestock manure may reduce the amount of commercial fertilizer required.

FERTILIZATION – ESTABLISHED SEEDING
It is important to fertilize annually, preferably based on a soil test. If no soil test is available a typical fertilizer maintenance program, when pastures contain 20-40% clover is: 250-300 pounds per acre of 12-24-24 in the early spring and 250-300 pounds per acre 12-24-24 applied about June1. A fertilizer program for pastures containing little or no clover could be 100 pound per acre of urea (or 130 pounds of ammonium nitrate or 200 pounds of ammonium sulfate) applied in early spring, about June 1 and about September 1. If the grass stand is being intensely managed and harvested or the stand has only nitrogen fertilizer for several years and soil tests show low soil potassium (K or K2O) the June or September fertilization could be replaced by 200-250 pounds per acre of 18-18-18. Continuous nitrogen fertilization (especially with ammonium sulfate) tends to acidify soils so watch for a lowered pH and the need for additional lime.

GRAZING
A rotational grazing system will increase pasture production. Divide the pasture into 4 to 6 lots, approximately equal in animal carrying capacity. Each lot should be grazed one week and allowed to re-grow for 3 to 5 weeks. After the animals are removed from a pasture the droppings should be spread around and the remaining grass clipped off to about 4 inches tall.

Animals grazing a new seeding must be kept off the pasture during wet conditions to avoid trampling damage until a thick sod has developed. New pasture stands should also be 8 – 10 inches tall before being grazed to avoid plants being pulled out due to insufficient root development.

Never clip or graze the stand shorter than 4 inches to insure rapid re-growth and long stand life.

WEED CONTROL
Weed control is important in maintaining high grass yields. Cultural practices alone can contribute greatly to adequate weed control.

• - Never allow the pasture to be overgrazed.
• - Remove animals from the pasture in winter to allow root reserves to build up.
• - Clip the pasture after each grazing period or at least 3 to 4 times a year.
• - Follow a timely and adequate fertilizing and liming program, preferably based on a soil test.
• - Keep animals off of excessively wet pastures to avoid damage to the pasture stand and the field surface.

If cultural weed control practices are unsuccessful, 2-4-D can be used to control most broad leaf weeds. 2-4-D will damage clove rand alfalfa so do not use this material on pastures containing legumes.

If moss is a problem, soil infertility is generally the cause. For light infestations, appropriate fertilization will allow grasses and legumes to crowd out the moss. For heavy moss infestations the pasture should be plowed, fertilized according to a soil test and reseeded.