Glad this got jumped back up on top of the board again.
I only found out about the toxicity in fesue a few month ago and have been reading about it since then. I'm waiting on surveyors to finish up for the other chunk of small property. So I will start a rotational grazing method. I did talk to the local extension office guy that has the drill. I'm gonna have to plant the wheat first since it's the deeper seed then come back on top with fescue, red clover, and white clover. Maybe a touch of chicory. All of those can be planted at the same time and same depth so I. Will just mix the seed all together. What else should I throw in, orchard grass? Next big thing is gonna be what wheat to get? Tennessee forage guide shows about 15 types that are good for our region but that doesn't help me much. Does anyone have any recommendations for seed suppliers either local to SE TN or website?
I noticed you said "START a rotational grazing METHOD." Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but that "sounded" like you might not be real familiar with rotational grazing. I'm attaching a 'guide' that almost guarantees success with rotational grazing. I can explain it more if you need me to, but it is very simple and only has 4 things to follow.
The four never fail rules of grazing
(cool season grasses)
Never let seed heads form on plants. This will stunt growth later in the season if it occurs. 1
Never let livestock graze more than 7 continuous days on a pasture. 2
Never graze closer than 3 inches. 3
Never return to a pasture in less than 30 days. 4
Exceptions to the rules- USE CAUTIOUSLY!!
Warm Season grasses in the Western half of the US behave differently than cool season grasses in the East. These plants may
require the formation of seed heads to survive. Consult a grazing specialist before deciding to graze warm season grasses, ANYWHERE! Their growth and survival requirements are very different from cool season grasses. Although, they do provide some very important benefits when used in conjunction with cool season grasses.
Grazing more than 7 continuous days results in animals regrazing plants that have
resumed growth after being grazed off. These plants are targeted because they are more tender and succulent. This grazing pattern results in decreased vigor and loss of the most desirable plants in a pasture and spot grazing.
However, grazing in a pasture for more than 7 consecutive days will not result in selective grazing if the plants are
dormant. This occurs during the winter months and also during drought. Both of these are time periods when extended rest may be desirable over continued rotation.
Grazing closer than three inches can be used, and should be, when broadcast seeding is done for an existing pasture. The short grass promotes better seed to soil contact. Closer than a three inch grazing height is inefficient for cattle and results in reduced intake, which means lower weight gains, which means decreased profit. Grazing an
actively growing plant closer than three inches will compromise its regrowth ability and lower its vigor.
However, grazing a
dormant plant closer than a three inch grazing height will not have near the adverse effect as an actively growing plant. This can be particularly important to know during a drought when forage may be scarce,
but, plants are dormant. Don't turn the pasture into a dustbowl. Avoid crown damage and uprooting of plants.
It may be required that livestock are returned to a pasture
before 30 days in rare springtime circumstances where the spring flush is particularly vigorous. This is required to prevent seed head formation, first in the list of general rules, and maintain growth throughout the year instead of getting all of your production at once. Extreme cases may actually require mowing to prevent seed head development due to rapid growth.
