abused pasture

[houstoncutter]

Have a buddy thats has just got hold of a pasture that has gone to the dogs over the years. It has bahai and some bluestem in it and a bunch of weeds. He may not be able to lease it for many years. So, heres the big question. What would be the cheapest way to improve the pasture. He doesnt have a spray rig and getting someone to custom spray is probably not in his budget.

I told him to get out there now and cut it close, and late winter to burn the pasture with a slow burn desired. Any other ideas other than mine?

 

[JWBrahman]

Your friend should take a soil sample and have it analyzed. He could also plant winter rye and clover right now to fix nitrogen in the soil. The easiest solution would be to find a tenant with the necessary equipment to rehabilitate the pasture so he doesn't have to wait as long to rent it.

 

[JSCATTLE]

Burn it and soil sample . Most likely needs lime in south east texas . Plant rye grass and allow the cows to strip graze it to build manure in the soil. Doing this really helped my pastures this year .

 

[lucky7chief]

I had a neighbor with fields that had been sitting fallow for a few years. We agreed to rent it and also establish the hay fields. We used our cost of planting as a credit for future rent. Your buddy may be able to find someone to do the work and cover the cost for future pasture use. Everyone needs to agree on what the renovation will include and what the future rent will be.

 

[Deepsouth]

Burn it and soil sample . Most likely needs lime in south east texas . Plant rye grass and allow the cows to strip graze it to build manure in the soil. Doing this really helped my pastures this year .

JS what kind of summer grass is in your pasture?

 

[Brute 23]

If he can't afford to pay to spray it he can't afford to shred it... plant rye grass... or do any thing else. It all takes money.

 

[BC]

If he can't afford to pay to spray it he can't afford to shred it... plant rye grass... or do any thing else. It all takes money.

Spraying is cheaper than mowing.

 

[houstoncutter]

If he can't afford to pay to spray it he can't afford to shred it... plant rye grass... or do any thing else. It all takes money.

Spraying is cheaper than mowing.

He does not have a spray rig, so that is out of the question. He gets a one year at a time lease for very little money, with the agreement that he will mow the pasture in late spring and fall. The pasture was tested and it does not need any lime, at this time. The idea of clover is good but I think that would have to wait till next year, cause I think a slow burning fire will be reduce the weed seed load would kill the clover. He has to get the weed problem under control.

 

[novatech]

What grass is left is producing winter stores for the root system which will grow through the winter. Most of the winter weeds have already sprouted. If there is any native clover it is already sprouting. Tell your friend to save his pennies this winter and spray after the clover has gone to seed next spring. many fertilizer applicators also have spray rigs they rent or loan as long as you buy the herbicide from them. It will come premixed and is wheel drive so no applicators license will be needed. Many of the sprayers even have foam markers. It takes about 3 times as much diesel to shred as it does to spray. This alone makes spraying more economical. Better yet it actually does some good.
Something else comes to mind here. If he can afford the cows he should be able to afford the grass improvement. If not he will still , more than likely, have to many cows because of a lack of grass. To me the money situation cure starts with fewer cows. This will lead to better pasture which will lead to less hay which will lead to more cows. Maximizing cattle numbers on the pasture is probably what caused the pasture to get weedy in the first place.
By the way the pasture may have been abused but last summers drought did have a lot to do with the weed stimulation all over Texas and other areas. I had to mow, winrow and burn an awful lot of mustard weed myself this past spring just so the grass could see the light of day.

 

[Brute 23]

If he can't afford to pay to spray it he can't afford to shred it... plant rye grass... or do any thing else. It all takes money.

Spraying is cheaper than mowing.

He does not have a spray rig, so that is out of the question. He gets a one year at a time lease for very little money, with the agreement that he will mow the pasture in late spring and fall. The pasture was tested and it does not need any lime, at this time. The idea of clover is good but I think that would have to wait till next year, cause I think a slow burning fire will be reduce the weed seed load would kill the clover. He has to get the weed problem under control.

The majority of people don't have spray rigs. You pick up the phone and call a contractor. Many feed stores or co-ops have them. We have two guys with in 30mi who that is their primary business. They have a couple trucks each.

 

[JSCATTLE]

Burn it and soil sample . Most likely needs lime in south east texas . Plant rye grass and allow the cows to strip graze it to build manure in the soil. Doing this really helped my pastures this year .

JS what kind of summer grass is in your pasture?

Mixture of Bahia and Bermuda . The drought last year really hurt the grass . I had big spots of nothing but dirt last fall . I planted rye grass and over seeded with Bahia and Bermuda . I rotated my cows all summer and now the grass is as thick as it was 2 years ago . It's been dry here the last 6 weeks . I'm hoping to get my ryegrass out ahead of a front in the next 2 weeks . It's still mid 80's and dry as a bone here .

 

[ALACOWMAN]

i would'nt burn it until a couple weeks before greenup..

 

[houstoncutter]

He is required to mow the pasture twice a year, so that is a given. I just think that aslow moving burn would be more benifical than trying to find someone to spray it. Also this pasture will be used for grazing not hay and also they may tell him next October that he has to get out!

 

[ALACOWMAN]

He is required to mow the pasture twice a year, so that is a given. I just think that aslow moving burn would be more benifical than trying to find someone to spray it. Also this pasture will be used for grazing not hay and also they may tell him next October that he has to get out!

i do to,, burning does alot of good with insects and disease's plus the blackened soil heats up faster..

 

[Caustic Burno]

If you can't burn, spray as shredding is a waste of time and money IMO. You can make a heck of a sprayer for a few hundred buck's and actually improve the pasture.

 

[chippie]

I don't know if your friend would be interested, but Producers' Coop (Bryan TX) Saturday Class is:

'Sprigging/Seeding Bermuda Varieties'
Saturday, Oct. 27th 11 am - 12 noon
PRODUCERS Ag Center

Dr. Larry Redmon
Forage Specialist, Texas AgriLife Extension

Whether creating a new hay meadow or replanting because of drought, this class can provide you with information needed to get started and headed in the right direction. Dr. Redmon will discuss the types/varieties of bermudagrasses, seedbed preparation, planting options and timing, along with options for fertilization and weed control to help optimize establishment. You won't want to miss it! This Class qualifies for one General CEU.

 

[Brute 23]

He is required to mow the pasture twice a year, so that is a given. I just think that aslow moving burn would be more benifical than trying to find someone to spray it. Also this pasture will be used for grazing not hay and also they may tell him next October that he has to get out!

Required to shred. So even if he turns it in to the prettiest hay field with grass knee high he has to shred it down twice a year? I find that hard to believe.

You asked a question. You got the answer.

 

[Caustic Burno]

I would find a more better lease from someone who actually understood pasture mangement.

 

[ANAZAZI]

How about rotational grazing or some of its varieties?
It does not cost much; weeds take a beating, and good forage usually benefits from it.
If possible, he could move all his cattle there, to shock the new pasture, and then take them home to fresh grass at home while the new pasture grows back?
Also if I signed a contract saying to shred two times a year; I would "follow" that contract by shreddinig only what needs to be shredded, not all. Saves lots of money, and I doubt it would cause much irritaion, as long as pasture looks OK.

 

[cowboy43]

A year lease with pasture improvement retty: the only one coming out with a profit is the land owner the renter spends all the money and does the labor and gets kicked off. The renter would need a minimum 5 years lease to come out ahead. :dunce: