The damaging impacts of drought, excessive nitrogen costs and different excessive costs related to pasture administration have left some pastures within the state in less-than-ideal situation.
Because the 2023 rising season approaches, Aaron Saeugling, discipline agronomist with Iowa State College Extension and Outreach, discusses vital issues when bettering skinny or over-grazed pastures. A current article written by Saeugling for ISU Extension and Outreach’s Acreage Residing E-newsletter highlights these issues and supplies sources for pasture enchancment.
In accordance with Saeugling, pastures affected by thinning could be improved with frost-seeding or interseeding this spring. Whereas frost-seeding and interseeding could be a viable long-term answer for some, additionally it is vital to contemplate pasture circumstances reminiscent of soil pH, herbicide use and soil fertility, since not all pastures might be able to be reseeded with out soil amendments. As Saeugling explains, taking the time to correctly plan and put together will assist to extend the success of those practices.
As an extra profit given excessive nitrogen costs, frost-seeding or interseeding with a legume can assist to reduce the quantity of nitrogen that must be utilized to the pasture, since many legumes are able to fixing nitrogen into the soil.
“Nitrogen fixing legumes ought to embrace alfalfa, birdsfoot trefoil, and clover species,” stated Saeugling. “Take into accout with legumes in a pasture, a soil pH above six is finest and for alfalfa a soil pH of 6.9.”
Seed placement is one other key consideration when frost-seeding or interseeding pastures, in addition to seed dispersal technique. A drill is most well-liked for many legumes, because it supplies good seed to soil contact. If broadcasting, seeding previous to a snow occasion can assist the seed persist with the floor of the soil.
After frost-seeding or interseeding, you will need to monitor pasture inexperienced up and forestall aggressive grass species from rising greater than 4 inches, as this may end up in shading of legume seedlings. As soon as legume seedlings are established, grazing could be permitted.
