New Pasture...what should I plant?

[jhambley]

I am 50 miles south of Kansas City, KS. I purchased 20 acres of property last fall which had been part of a crop farm (It was in soy beans). I want to get started on some pasture for beef cattle. I would like to use MIG and have been in contact with my local extension agent.

He suggests I plant it all in endophyte-free fescue. I have read good and bad things about this seed and wanted to get some other feedback. I would like to establish a pasture that doesn't have to be replanted every other year as I don't own my own equipment.

Thank you in advance for you input.

 

[Jake]

native grasses such as Blue Stem, Indian grass, and turkey grass are a great forage. They should work very well in your area also.

 

[dun]

With 20 acres, unless you're going to keep your stocking rate fairly low, you need to determine if you want better forage for the summer or forage for the majority of the year. I would plant one of the novel endophyte fescues with some orchard grass and legumes.. They are supposed to have better persistence then the endophyte free varities. WSG would work for maybe a small part, but it really shines for the hotter summer times whne the cold season grasses are growing less if at all.

dun

 

[jerry27150]

arkplus fescue is a new one that has the endophyte to make it strong & persistent, but it doesn't bother the cattle. arkplus & ladino clover work good together