Extension Communications
Extension 4-H Youth Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3630
(515) 294-9915
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Extension Communications |
4/20/04
Contacts:
Stephen Barnhart, Agronomy, (515) 294-7835, sbarnha@iastate.edu
Rachel E. Martin, Iowa Beef Center, (515) 294-9124, remartin@iastate.edu
Consider Your Goals Before Reseeding Your Pasture
AMES, Iowa -- For many beef producers, frustration with pasture production (or lack thereof) often leads to drastic measures - starting over with a new pasture seeding. However, when a pasture isn't adequately meeting the needs of the herd and a simple fix isn't appropriate, Stephen Barnhart, professor of Agronomy, Iowa State University, advises producers to bear in mind several factors before reseeding.
"A producer should consider long-term goals of the herd or pasture, soil limitations, pasture expectations and financial resources," says Barnhart. "But most of all, consider the situation now and how you got there."
According to Barnhart, the current situation could likely be a result of too many animals on a pasture that's too small or has less than adequate forage quality. This situation can be resolved three ways: reducing the number of animals, increasing the acreage of the pasture or increasing pasture productivity per acre.
Attempting the latter can include several management techniques.
Fertilizing cool-season grasses with nitrogen in spring and autumn is the most
efficient
use of the fertilizer dollar, but Barnhart also recommends delaying spring
nitrogen application to late spring months in order to encourage more summer
production.
Additionally, incorporating a legume via early frost seeding or interseeding
will provide a high-quality, highly-digestible forage during the hot summer
months. Barnhart recommends that at least one third of total pasture forage
be legume and cautions against nitrogen fertilization during the months following
a legume seeding, which may stimulate grasses to dominate and limit legume
establishment.
If all else fails, and complete renovation appears to be the only choice, Barnhart recommends selecting forage species that are compatible with your livestock needs, grazing management and soil conditions. Considering how the forage is to be used, such as a forage that is to be both grazed and cut, is another important factor.
A mixture of grass and legumes is recommended. Barnhart suggests a mix of two grass species and one legume and reminds producers that "while commercially available general pasture mixes may be the economical choice, a custom mix can meet your needs more precisely and may be the least costly in the long run." Above all, Barnhart stresses that producers ensure that any tall fescue seed being used is certified endoyphyte free, to avoid fescue toxicosis.
Reseeding the pasture will inevitably result in a short-term negative economic impact. A new pasture is not an immediate fix, Barnhart reminds, and the producer will need to compensate for the loss of pasture acres or productivity as the new pasture is establishing for one to two years. This financial aspect may be a limiting factor when making the reseeding decision.
As a final thought, Barnhart recommends producers ask themselves tough questions when considering reseeding. "Will a new seeding really solve my current problems, and am I prepared to change the pasture management that got me there in the first place?"
For more information on new pasture seedings and seeding mixtures, contact Barnhart at (515) 294-7835. To request ISU Extension publications "Interseeding and No-Till Pasture Renovation" (PM 1097) and "Steps to Establish and Maintain Legume-Grass Pastures," (PM 1008) call (515) 294-5247 or visit www.extension.iastate.edu/pubs/.
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