Pasture question

[Cbeck01]

So I cleaned some pasture with the dozer and want to re sow the bare spots. The problem is the soil in that pasture sucks. I'm looking for something that cattle can graze on that will grow in crappy soil and that won't break the bank. Haha I know I'm asking alot! To top it off I'd like to be able to just spread it on top of the soil and let the rain do the work. Any ideas? I live in central Ohio if that helps .

Thanks

 

[JMJ Farms]

Tif-Leaf 3 Millet would work here. Needs to at least be dragged in though. Not sure about Ohio.

 

[cowboy43]

Need to know where you are located before any advice can be given.

 

[Cbeck01]

I live in central Ohio

 

[Jabes0623]

Get a soil sample & have it tested. I did a large clear cut to pasture project last summer/fall & I can tell you without a doubt getting the soil tested & liming/fertilizing as it called for made all the difference for me. And as JMJ said you need to at the very least drag the freshly sowed seed to get better soil contact. If I can turn this...



Into this...



I'm sure you can fill in a few bare spots in your pasture no problem. I live in SE Ohio btw. If you have any specific questions I'll be happy to help if I can.

 

[Cbeck01]

Wow that looks amazing! Thanks, I'll look into getting it tested...what did you sow?

 

[Jabes0623]

It's a mix of rye, orchard, & bluegrass as well as fescue, timothy, duo festulolium & ladino clover.

Get in touch with your county extension agent & they'll be able to get you in touch with a local source that can test your soil. One sample should only cost $15-ish to run & then you'll know exactly what you need done. Hopefully you just need a little lime & you'll be good to go.

 

[TexasBred]

Get a soil sample & have it tested. I did a large clear cut to pasture project last summer/fall & I can tell you without a doubt getting the soil tested & liming/fertilizing as it called for made all the difference for me. And as JMJ said you need to at the very least drag the freshly sowed seed to get better soil contact. If I can turn this...



Into this...



I'm sure you can fill in a few bare spots in your pasture no problem. I live in SE Ohio btw. If you have any specific questions I'll be happy to help if I can.

Jabes you did on he// of a fine job there. Awesome !!!!!!

 

[hillbillyhammer]

Jabes did you get grass growing before you added fertilize and lime or did you put it out with your seed?

 

[midTN_Brangusman]

Got any pictures of what it looked like before you did your dozer work? Just curious if it was big timber or thicket type. Looks great!

 

[hillbillyhammer]

mid TN brangusman I am fixin to start a project like this that was logged. It had some descent sized trees on it that left some big stumps. I think I am going to remove all the smaller ones but the big ones are going to have to stay for now at least. I will be tickled if mine turns out half as good as jabes. Lots of work ahead. Have you been involved in a project like this?

 

[Supa Dexta]

I like to load the manure to newly cleared land. Ploughed in, fert, lime then seeded. And picking rocks.. lots of picking rocks.

 

[Jabes0623]

Jabes did you get grass growing before you added fertilize and lime or did you put it out with your seed?

I limed & fertilized before I sowed the seed. I don't recall exactly what the interval was but it wasn't very long, roughly a week I'd guess. I know I waited for a good rain before I sowed.

Got any pictures of what it looked like before you did your dozer work? Just curious if it was big timber or thicket type. Looks great!

I probably do somewhere but it was nothing special. Average height of the trees was 30'-50' with a few bigger & many smaller. Like all the woods around here the undergrowth was thick, a mix of small trees, thorn bushes, ferns etc. Our region is a mesophytic forest so the variety of trees & other vegetation is extensive.

I like to load the manure to newly cleared land. Ploughed in, fert, lime then seeded. And picking rocks.. lots of picking rocks.

Lol yes, there was a lot of that also. It seemed endless. Weeks, months, years maybe...

I got a landscape rake for the tractor & raked & raked & raked. Never did get it all, had to quit & sow the seed before I lost the weather.