ClinchValley
Well-known member
A little background first, recently began starting to rehab our pasture/hay fields. They have been neglected and poorly managed for the last 20 years. Minimum fertilizer, absolutely zero lime. Cattle have had free reign to entire property with exception to the hay fields. I
Sage grass, broomsedge, or whatever it is called in your area, has grabbed hold of our pasture fields and started showing its ugly brown face throughout our hayfield here and there. Really, its quite more than just here and there. There are thick stands randomly through the front hay field. Probably 5-10% of front hay field is brown/gold.
Yesterday I bush hogged roughly 15 acres of the back pasture that was knee to waste high. It is on very steep ground. Steep enough to have me puckered up that's for sure!!!!!
My logic was this… Broomsedge is a summer grass i have been told. Which would tell me it doesn't grow until summer is here. By knocking it down level with the surrounding grass, will the desirable grasses be able to outcompete/smother the gold grass due to more sunlight equaling more photosynthesis?
In places where i would not dare attempt to ascend on a 1984 Long 2wd 460, I planned to unroll 3-5 bales of hay. Hoping the cattle will tromp the gold stems to the ground. Will this work?
I just feel these tall stands of gold grass is only blocking sunlight from getting to the good grass. Am I on the right track?
Had 2 ton/acre of lime put down today on hay fields. Since this will give no immediate results, I was thinking I should knock the tops down of broomsedge level with the grass in the hay fields. Shouldn't this help the surrounding grass. Possibly let grass come from underneath?
Or should I leave it be and cut/bale it?
PS. We are unable to afford fertilizer at this time. Hoping the lime helps the grass get what nutrients are in the soil. This valley is known for having very acidic soil I have been told. Which would cause nutrient lockout in certain areas. Right track of thinking?
Sorry for the book of a post. I am new at all this and have so many questions and thoughts and no one to talk to about it. LOL. Need to get to know a neighbor or two. The one's I have talk with in depth tend to follow the low input low output train of thought. Just enough to get buy. I am wanting high output. So need to know about what input/work is needed.
I could blah blah blah all night. Thanks in advance everyone... :help: :help: :help: :help: :help:
Sage grass, broomsedge, or whatever it is called in your area, has grabbed hold of our pasture fields and started showing its ugly brown face throughout our hayfield here and there. Really, its quite more than just here and there. There are thick stands randomly through the front hay field. Probably 5-10% of front hay field is brown/gold.
Yesterday I bush hogged roughly 15 acres of the back pasture that was knee to waste high. It is on very steep ground. Steep enough to have me puckered up that's for sure!!!!!
My logic was this… Broomsedge is a summer grass i have been told. Which would tell me it doesn't grow until summer is here. By knocking it down level with the surrounding grass, will the desirable grasses be able to outcompete/smother the gold grass due to more sunlight equaling more photosynthesis?
In places where i would not dare attempt to ascend on a 1984 Long 2wd 460, I planned to unroll 3-5 bales of hay. Hoping the cattle will tromp the gold stems to the ground. Will this work?
I just feel these tall stands of gold grass is only blocking sunlight from getting to the good grass. Am I on the right track?
Had 2 ton/acre of lime put down today on hay fields. Since this will give no immediate results, I was thinking I should knock the tops down of broomsedge level with the grass in the hay fields. Shouldn't this help the surrounding grass. Possibly let grass come from underneath?
Or should I leave it be and cut/bale it?
PS. We are unable to afford fertilizer at this time. Hoping the lime helps the grass get what nutrients are in the soil. This valley is known for having very acidic soil I have been told. Which would cause nutrient lockout in certain areas. Right track of thinking?
Sorry for the book of a post. I am new at all this and have so many questions and thoughts and no one to talk to about it. LOL. Need to get to know a neighbor or two. The one's I have talk with in depth tend to follow the low input low output train of thought. Just enough to get buy. I am wanting high output. So need to know about what input/work is needed.
I could blah blah blah all night. Thanks in advance everyone... :help: :help: :help: :help: :help: