Dry areas

[DitchBank]

I have some areas in my pasture that really no matter how much I try I can't seem to water. These areas also have some (not a whole lot) of alkali and grow nothing but some salt grass. The only water these areas get is basically rain and melting snow (I live in Utah) just wondering what I could grow that would be good for cows, and if possible beneficial for pheasants. Anyone know of anything I could plant in these areas?

 

[JRGidaho`]

Tall wheatgrass is the most common recommendation for those areas. It yields a lot more than the native salt grass but the palatability isn't that good if you don't get cattle on it early enough. If the areas get cut for hay with the rest of the irrigated ground, it won't be the best of hay but it will beat that snowbank.

If you can get at least one flood on it, tall fescue might survive and do okay, but it will need more water than the tall wheatgrass.

Good luck on it...