What would you do with this dirt and rocks?

[Kingfisher]

Knowing what I know now.............I am glad this isn't my place. http://ranchers.net/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/9592
What do you do with this sort of " dirt?" I surely don't know much about grasses and can not really identify what is here. I know from going out last month most of it is weeds. I know the rain " helped" but I think if my buddy doesn't make some improvements it's going to get expensive when it doesn't rain like it did this year. What do you do with this kind of pasture? I think it would be neat to see it turn into something that doesn't look like its out of the " Grapes of wrath" but wouldn't know where to start. I suppose getting rid of the weeds would be a start but they might be all that's holding the top soil down....... I am all ears. Thanks in advance.

 

[Jim62]

:???:

 

[dun]

:???:

Me too!

 

[TexasBred]

Kingfisher...that link didnt' show me any land. Just cattle.

 

[upfrombottom]

Which one is dirt and which one is rocks?

 

[Kingfisher]

Kingfisher...that link didnt' show me any land. Just cattle.

See what I mean............if you look real close.......;(........

 

[1982vett]

Looks pretty good for Austin area and this time of year.......Probably overstocked for starters.

 

[TexasBred]

Kingfisher...that link didnt' show me any land. Just cattle.

See what I mean............if you look real close.......;(........

Just looks overgrazed to me Teasipper. But tell us what you know and why you wouldn't want to own it ;-)

 

[Kingfisher]

Kingfisher...that link didnt' show me any land. Just cattle.

See what I mean............if you look real close.......;(........

Just looks overgrazed to me Teasipper. But tell us what you know and why you wouldn't want to own it ;-)

Hello. Thanks for your response. For starters its 100 miles from Austin one way. It is outside of Caradan which is @ 9
mi NE of Goldthwaite. I suppose it is close to the northern edge of the Edwards Plateau. I suppose at some point someone
grew Cotton or ?? and grazed goats or cattle. I have never seen the deed so don't really have a time frame. I know from
evidence I see on the 53 acres it use to be a homestead. The property drops in elevation ( I'll try to post a satellite link at some
point) and there are ' paddocks" on a natural terrace that have some dirt in them. The @ 10 acres on top are what you see in the picture. I'll look for some other ground pics soon to post. I know it can be renovated but not sure where to start. When you turn it over its full of rocks the size of coke cans or cupcakes. I see some of the neighboring fields that are over grown with grass or weeds and 60 acres across the street that is cultivated in ?? that shows promise. There isn't any real water other than a new well to irrigate.
I just think that there is a lot of truth to needing to grow good grass in order to have a chance at a sturdy cow herd and I think I would have paid more for something with more forgiving pasture land. I'm sure there are solutions for this piece that might make it an educational experiment but weather its economically feasible is to be seen. I hope that helps. Your input would be appreciated Ag man........ Peace.

 

[TexasBred]

KF I know where that area is but not all that familar with it. Driving thru it's just like you say. Some very good pasture land, even some crop land but then some that is rough as a cob. A lot of that land out there is leased to deer hunters at anywhere from $1500 to $3000 a gun depending on a number of things. Maybe there is someone on the board that is more familar with the area and can give you more specifics. Good Luck.

 

[marksmu]

If it were mine, I would pull all the cattle off of it, run a light disc across it, and let it have a year off. Mow it 2x that year, and spray it once with a broadleaf weed killer. Also remove all the cedars, and make sure if it has any live creeks to remove any dams, or debris.....You will see this place look completely different in one years time. In 2 or 3 years the place will look beautiful. Ive read alot of studies out of that area, about property being drastically improved by cedar removal, and a light discing with a rest. I did it on a small pasture, and when the native grasses came back after discing it was fantastic. The weeds did come back too, which is why you need to spray, but after doing both, its beautiful.

You can add a few head back each year, but for the first year I would let it sit idle to bring it all back.

 

[Kingfisher]

If it were mine, I would pull all the cattle off of it, run a light disc across it, and let it have a year off. Mow it 2x that year, and spray it once with a broadleaf weed killer. Also remove all the cedars, and make sure if it has any live creeks to remove any dams, or debris.....You will see this place look completely different in one years time. In 2 or 3 years the place will look beautiful. Ive read alot of studies out of that area, about property being drastically improved by cedar removal, and a light discing with a rest. I did it on a small pasture, and when the native grasses came back after discing it was fantastic. The weeds did come back too, which is why you need to spray, but after doing both, its beautiful.

You can add a few head back each year, but for the first year I would let it sit idle to bring it all back.

Good morning. Thanks for the reply. There are no cedars or very few........lots of scrub oak down the hill and some black walnut here and there. Some other oaks spot the property. Can you point me toward some of the studies you speak of? Thanks in advance.

 

[deenranch]

I would either put it in klien grass or sprig it in a grass called jiggs... We live close to this place and I have had real good luck with our klien grass... There is also a grass called Love grass that will grow good there... I don't think that coastal or tifton would do very well... Just my two cents....