So this will be the first year I have been concerned with clipping pastures. Last fall we installed about 40 acres of K-Line (pod) irrigation and now are able to irrigate all those high spots that we could not soak under the old flood irrigation method.
Although this has created a great amount more forage, one area 5+/- acres are coming in almost pure foxtail. It is has headed out, but not dried down completely so I think there is time to clip it before these seedheads are mature enough to cause future problems. (I know that there is most likely a huge seedbank of undesireables, but baby steps)
So how close should I clip it back? what I have available to me at this time is a brush hog and the blades are not that sharp, is this going to be too detrimental to this particular area? I can get to sharpening them this weekend, but wanted to just hook up and go before the foxtail dried down any more.
And the "stems" that are left....are they going to create a pinkeye or eye irritating nightmare once I irrigate and the understory starts to come through?
I have a couple areas outside this immediate spot that will need some attention, but they are more mustard related. We are looking at bringing in about 30 head of feeder calves to clean this up, and that is the primary reason, but would also like to have good enough forage for them to put on some pounds and turn a dime or two.
Thanks
Although this has created a great amount more forage, one area 5+/- acres are coming in almost pure foxtail. It is has headed out, but not dried down completely so I think there is time to clip it before these seedheads are mature enough to cause future problems. (I know that there is most likely a huge seedbank of undesireables, but baby steps)
So how close should I clip it back? what I have available to me at this time is a brush hog and the blades are not that sharp, is this going to be too detrimental to this particular area? I can get to sharpening them this weekend, but wanted to just hook up and go before the foxtail dried down any more.
And the "stems" that are left....are they going to create a pinkeye or eye irritating nightmare once I irrigate and the understory starts to come through?
I have a couple areas outside this immediate spot that will need some attention, but they are more mustard related. We are looking at bringing in about 30 head of feeder calves to clean this up, and that is the primary reason, but would also like to have good enough forage for them to put on some pounds and turn a dime or two.
Thanks