Pastures: Are you a mower or sprayer

[inyati13]

I am starting this thread to solicit comments on the two primary means of managing pasture for the best possible forage. There may be other ways in some regions than mowing or spraying a herbicide. For example, on the rangelands of Wyoming and Montana, I never saw either practice employed. So if you don't do anything, that is an appropriate comment. Here is my comment to kick this off:

I mow pastures here in KY at least three times a year. I avoid spray for one prime reason, I don't want to take out some of the broad leaf forages that represent good sources of protein, carbohydrate and vitamins. There are too many plants to mention but some are little know broadleafs that the forage experts at UK have pointed out to me. Even some of what we think of as weeds are eaten by cows. I must be doing something right. My pastures were used by the KY Cattle Association last year for their Beef Field Day to put on a presentation on forages. Recently, I was nominated in Robertson County along with two other producers for Cattleman Of the Year. The ballot just went out to the entire chapter for a vote. I have a significant headwind as I do not reside in the county and given the local culture it makes my winning almost impossibe but I am very proud of the nomination especially considering how small my herd of cows is (15).

Next:

 

[M.Magis]

Both.

 

[skyhightree1]

I'm both. I control weeds by spraying whether spot spraying or covering whole pasture. I do clip pastures as well. I do this if I have too few of cattle on a pasture and grass gets away from them it gets tough and they find tender grasses and leave all the tough grass. I also keep it clipped to help keep risk of pink eye.

 

[dun]

Both.

yup

 

[highgrit]

Both here also.

 

[BobbyLummus1]

I sprayed early spring when the trash weeds start to pop up with grazon and a little remedy , then mowed mid summer , have spot sprayed several times since . I have enjoyed this and now have the best looking pasture land in my area

 

[JWBrahman]

I sprayed early spring when the trash weeds start to pop up with grazon and a little remedy , then mowed mid summer , have spot sprayed several times since . I have enjoyed this and now have the best looking pasture land in my area

This year I skipped spraying everything in the Spring and just went with spot spraying and a midsummer mow. During the past week I have been hitting the seed heads on the Timothy Grass. My place is recovering faster from the army worms than the pastures that were sprayed only.

 

[Bigfoot]

Spray only. It's as cheap, maybe cheaper than clipping. Plus you kill it, not just shorten it.

 

[Bigfoot]

4 years with no mowing.

 

[jrn28]

I incorporate both methods. I spray late spring with grazon and mow grass anytime it gets to a certain height. My cows won't touch some grasses if they get too tall. If I would get more rain I would probably bring in more cows.

 

[shaz]

I don't mow more than once a year. Simple economics and time management.....I don't have that kinda time. I also spray if need be.

 

[bird dog]

Spray only except when trying to establish a new pasture. If you constantly mow, how do your good native grasses ever reseed?

 

[TennesseeTuxedo]

Nobody here using goats? They love to eat the junk cattle won't.

 

[shaz]

Nobody here using goats? They love to eat the junk cattle won't.

ever try to fence goats in?

 

[Fire Sweep Ranch]

Neither. We MIG, so we have no major issues with weeds. What the cows do not eat, they lay on or stomp down. About the only problem we have is with Plantain, and the cows eat that too!
We do spray the fence lines, for blackberry, buckbrush, and poison ivy. Oh, and multiflora rose...

 

[TennesseeTuxedo]

Nobody here using goats? They love to eat the junk cattle won't.

ever try to fence goats in?

No but we have panel wire fence all around our place, even the cross fences, so wouldn't that keep them in?

 

[branguscowgirl]

I ran goats and sheep for a couple years on my pasture. They eat all the "good stuff" first, before they start on the "trash". So to me, the pasture was set back. Instead of the good grass choking out the weeds, it made the weeds get stronger. I will not do it again. They also rubbed down the woven wire fences when they itch, loosening and distorting them. Had to increase hot wires. Lastly they hated the flood irrigation so they congregated on top of the checks, breaking them all down in areas.
No more sheep and goats for me!

 

[John SD]

Neither.

 

[greybeard]

Nobody here using goats? They love to eat the junk cattle won't.

ever try to fence goats in?

No but we have panel wire fence all around our place, even the cross fences, so wouldn't that keep them in?

Will that fence hold water?

 

[JWBrahman]

They eat all the "good stuff" first, before they start on the "trash". So to me, the pasture was set back.
No more sheep and goats for me!

Sheep are pretty good for cleaning up Kudzu but they stink to high heaven. It takes forever for their little pellets to break down, too.