Klein field help

[RunninB]

I was at the ranch yesterday checking on things and drove out into my Kleingrass field to get a close look at how things are going. We have been getting consistent rains (probably 1"-2" per week) lately. Fertililizer is going down real soon but my issue is that I'm not seeing much in the way of that particular grass. It's real spotty. Last year we baled 54 round bales off of the 20ac and this year I am pretty worried about the yield that we may get. I feel like I really need to take a year and rehab this field. I have other areas that are grazed that have never been cut and they look great and very dense. My question is who can I turn to and have them come out and look at the field to give me some recommendations on setting up a program to get this field back in shape. We are in Gillespie Co. here in Texas and our county agent is not very helpful. His voice mail even says not to leave a message as he probably won't be able to return my call. At least it did the last time I tried to call him. Is there any other "expert" that I could turn to that might be willing to come out and take a look. To me, without putting eyes on it, it would be hard to tell me what I need to do. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[NolanCountyAG]

Go TALK to the extension agent or nrcs agent. Take pictures of everything you want them to give you help on. They aren' t going to turn you away in person.

 

[bird dog]

You can also send an email and your pics to Dr. Larry Redmon at TAMU. He is based at Overton but has knowledge all across the state. He has been very helpful to me in the past. He may also get someone to come out to take a look.

 

[Rafter S]

The problem may only be that the nights have been too cool for it to do well.

 

[Kingfisher]

Where in Gillespie county? There are some good hay fields between Stonewall and town where you might just stop in and talk to a producer. Extension agent probably at the peach grower association meeting tonight pm me if you can't figure it out and I'll ask some one for you. Sounds like you need a soil sample for starters though.

 

[1982vett]

I was at the ranch yesterday checking on things and drove out into my Kleingrass field to get a close look at how things are going. We have been getting consistent rains (probably 1"-2" per week) lately. Fertililizer is going down real soon but my issue is that I'm not seeing much in the way of that particular grass. It's real spotty. Last year we baled 54 round bales off of the 20ac and this year I am pretty worried about the yield that we may get. I feel like I really need to take a year and rehab this field. I have other areas that are grazed that have never been cut and they look great and very dense. My question is who can I turn to and have them come out and look at the field to give me some recommendations on setting up a program to get this field back in shape. We are in Gillespie Co. here in Texas and our county agent is not very helpful. His voice mail even says not to leave a message as he probably won't be able to return my call. At least it did the last time I tried to call him. Is there any other "expert" that I could turn to that might be willing to come out and take a look. To me, without putting eyes on it, it would be hard to tell me what I need to do. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

When/how long has it been established?

 

[Brute 23]

The problem may only be that the nights have been too cool for it to do well.

I agree with the above post. I'm further south than you and our Klein Grass has not kicked in yet.

Your bale/ ac is a little on the low side even from last year. For starters a good disking next year before spring will help. Klein grass makes some tough seed. We dozed out a pasture that was solid black and white brush 2 yrs ago. Just from turning the ground while blading the brush off it stirred the Klein seed. Neighbors were asking if I planted it. It was very impressive.

Also be sure you have a good program going for weeds. With it coming on late if the pasture is full of other weeds it slows it down a little.

Klein needs to seed out so be sure you are rotating on and off that pasture. I like to let it seed out then turn the cows in on it after a good rain or even before if you know its coming. They can help plan a lot of it with the right conditions. I've also topped it with a shredder then turned the cattle in on it.

 

[RunninB]

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions. The field has been there for around 25-30 years. Can't be exact on that but I remember my uncle dozing our place when I was in highschool and that was back in the late 80's. I sent an email to Dr. Redmon and he said check with the extension agent. As of right now my plan is to rotate the herd in and out and let it seed out good. Don't need the hay as I found a deal on some hay a couple of days ago. ($25/bale Tiff85 this years cut). The grower said he grows #1 horse hay but this first cut has a small amount of volunteer wheat in it so he can't sell it for the normal rate. Since I found that I can relax a little and do this right to get it ready for next year. I have been told that it could really use a good disking. Our neighbor tried everything he could to get the Klein out of his fields due to having horses including a non-selective herbicide and finally gave up and sold the place. We are located in Doss if you are familiar with that area. I'll get a soil test going this next week and start from there. You guys have been a great resource for me as I'm just getting started in this business. Thanks

 

[Brute 23]

It agitates me when people constantly say to talk to your extension agent. Our agents are concerned with the fair and show animals only. The only thing they know how to do is politic fir a better job and cause problems.

One of the older ladies I lease from went to our agent before she leased it and tried to get a value on leasing the land. He told her around $15 - $20 an acre. The place is literally 1 pair to 20 ac because of the brush. That's like $300- $400 per head.

If you want some one to feel up your rabbit give our county agent a call. If you need help with an actual farming, ranching, or wildlife question... your better off at the Dairy Queen.

 

[callmefence]

It agitates me when people constantly say to talk to your extension agent. Our agents are concerned with the fair and show animals only. The only thing they know how to do is politic fir a better job and cause problems.

One of the older ladies I lease from went to our agent before she leased it and tried to get a value on leasing the land. He told her around $15 - $20 an acre. The place is literally 1 pair to 20 ac because of the brush. That's like $300- $400 per head.

If you want some one to feel up your rabbit give our county agent a call. If you need help with an actual farming, ranching, or wildlife question... your better off at the Dairy Queen.

X2. . he's great at saying I'll have to check on that. Info is obviously the same thing Google search I've already done.

 

[RunninB]

Can anyone tell me what this is. I have it in a good portion of my field

 

[BC]

RunningB, I haven’t thought about Klein grass in over 25 years since it is not adapted to northeast Texas. When I was a county agent in south central Texas, we recommended Klein for grazing or hay on some of the heavier soils that did not produce bermuda well. Photosensitization is a problem in horses, sheep and goats. There are a couple of factors to remember in growing Klein grass. The first is adequate fertility. Even though Klein does not need nor respond to high amounts of fertilizer, it does require some to be able to produce. The second factor and maybe the most important one is grazing management. Grazing should be deferred until new plants are well established and NEVER graze closer than 6 to 8 inches of stubble height. Grazing too close and not making a seed crop going in to the fall were the things I saw that caused declines in stands. It is a great grass in areas that it is adapted, BUT it requires more management because it does not tolerate abuse like bermuda did.

You said “We are in Gillespie Co. here in Texas and our county agent is not very helpful. His voice mail even says not to leave a message as he probably won't be able to return my call”. That statement was quite troubling to me as I don’t know this young man, but I do know several people in the area that I respect that speak highly of him. The Gillespie county agent is responsible for educational programs in hay production, wildlife management, predator control, farming, lawn care, gardening, pest management, CEU’s, livestock production, water conservation, brush management and economic development. In addition to that he has to help with the 4-H program (that is a big deal in that county and has a long and storied history). I have provided a link to his latest newsletter that covers the broad scope of job responsibilities.

http://gillespie.agrilife.org/files/201 ... Spring.pdf

In this day and time, you can glean the internet for information. Information that is appropriate for Pennsylvania, Kansas or Tennessee may not be applicable to Texas. What may be recommended for northeast Texas may not be appropriate for the Hill Country. That is where getting local information is important.

BTW, that weed you posted is not one we see in East Texas. I suggest you send the picture to your local county agent or NRCS person for identification.

BC
Retired County Extension Agent

 

[RunninB]

BC
Thanks for your input. First, I was not trying run down the Agent. I do realize that they are very busy. My point was that over the course of a few weeks I left a voice mail, sent a text and an email without any response. I am a detail oriented person that has spent many years in professions that were service oriented and currently in one where if I don't pay attention to every detail for every "customer" their life or mine is on the line. That's why I have an expectation of a response. Just the way I'm wired. My apologies if I offended anyone.

That all being said, I contacted Dr. Redmon from A&M and he gave me the number for the NRCS office in Fredericksburg. They returned my call promptly and I will be meeting with him next week to look at everything.

This field is very rarely grazed so that is not really an issue. I took this place over last July and that's when it was cut so I think that was pretty late in the game. Didn't really get much growth after that so more than likely lost whatever seed should have been there in the fall. This year it won't be grazed at all. Last year it was baled at the time it was seeding out so I may have gotten some but possibly not mature. Don't really know. I know there is a lot to taking care of this kind of grass and that's why I'm looking for help. Believe me, I'm real new at this but am willing to become very educated and do it right. This is my parents place so I have a huge vested interested in making it the best it can be.
Thanks again.

 

[Brute 23]

Glad you found some one that will come out and take a look.

Don't appalogize for sharing your experience with your agent. It is unacceptable to not return a call, especially when they are paid with tax dollars.

 

[greybeard]

When I need a county agent, I learned to cut out his receptionist and just call one of the 4H leaders--they'll have him call me.

 

[RunninB]

Thanks all. I had a great visit from the two NRCS field reps today. Gave me a lot of good information and advice. They will be helping me set up a conservation plan to get our ranch back to what it once was. Glad I met with them before spending a ton of money on fertilizer that would have done no good based on what we saw today.

 

[Brute 23]

What did they say?

Our Klein just took off this past week with the warmer weather.

 

[1982vett]

Mine is looking awesome where the cow paddies fell last fall.....not so much elsewhere but it is beginning to show itself. My ryegrass is so thick this year I imagine it has a lot of nutrients tied up right now.

 

[RunninB]

Went through the whole pasture with the guys from NRCS and decided to do nothing but cut whatever small mesquites I have growing in the field. I have a lot of rescue grass in the field which they said would play out in a few weeks. They want to come back in August and see what the density of the Klein is and then talk about possibly reseeding it next year. I know it will get dry in the summer but we are set for this year and possibly next with the hay we are purchasing. Also talked about applying for the EQUIP program and clear about 65 ac that was once solid Klein but has become over grown by mesquites during the past 20 years (just took over property last July). These guys are a great resource.

 

[1982vett]

Glad you are getting some on site advice... Hope the weather cooperates and helps you out.