With snow still on the ground and freezing temperatures, it is hard to start thinking about your spring and summer pasture grass planting plans.
Yet this is the perfect time to start preparing your grazing and hay fields for a chance to produce an abundant crop.
First you need to look at your current pasture grass fields and the hay you have in the barn now.
Are these fields producing the type of crop to fed all your livestock? What is the quality of the baled hay in your barn you are currently feeding? Are you thinking you need to move towards organic pasture grass or high sugar grasses? Does your current ryegrasses re-grow quickly and crowd out weeds? To get the answer for these and other questions on your pasture grass you need to do your homework.
Start by getting your soils tested to see if you have the proper nutritional values in your fields.
Check to see if your field may need to be aerated, over seeded or completely re-seeded.
Sometimes just aerating to remove compaction layers in your soil then over seeding high sugar grass seeds may give you the best results.
Next, do some research on the internet and talk to your local extension office for ideas on the type of perennial ryegrasses and pasture grass which will work best in your area.
No matter if you raise cattle, sheep, goats, wildlife, or milk cows there are many pasture grass seed mixes available.
You should be looking for proven ryegrasses with high sugar reserve which make for lush, thick pastures that withstand dry summers and cold winters.
They also give extra energy for rapid re-growth after grazing and help crowd out weeds.
Most importantly, high sugar grasses are proven to increase livestock yields.
That's more milk, beefier cattle, and larger sheep and goats.
If you are looking to attract deer and other game to your food plot grasses, look for the blends designed with this in mind.
In conclusion, there is no better time to review your spring and summer pasture grass needs.
Take advantage of both seed companies early order discounts and these cold winter days to plan ahead for spring and summer.
Yet this is the perfect time to start preparing your grazing and hay fields for a chance to produce an abundant crop.
First you need to look at your current pasture grass fields and the hay you have in the barn now.
Are these fields producing the type of crop to fed all your livestock? What is the quality of the baled hay in your barn you are currently feeding? Are you thinking you need to move towards organic pasture grass or high sugar grasses? Does your current ryegrasses re-grow quickly and crowd out weeds? To get the answer for these and other questions on your pasture grass you need to do your homework.
Start by getting your soils tested to see if you have the proper nutritional values in your fields.
Check to see if your field may need to be aerated, over seeded or completely re-seeded.
Sometimes just aerating to remove compaction layers in your soil then over seeding high sugar grass seeds may give you the best results.
Next, do some research on the internet and talk to your local extension office for ideas on the type of perennial ryegrasses and pasture grass which will work best in your area.
No matter if you raise cattle, sheep, goats, wildlife, or milk cows there are many pasture grass seed mixes available.
You should be looking for proven ryegrasses with high sugar reserve which make for lush, thick pastures that withstand dry summers and cold winters.
They also give extra energy for rapid re-growth after grazing and help crowd out weeds.
Most importantly, high sugar grasses are proven to increase livestock yields.
That's more milk, beefier cattle, and larger sheep and goats.
If you are looking to attract deer and other game to your food plot grasses, look for the blends designed with this in mind.
In conclusion, there is no better time to review your spring and summer pasture grass needs.
Take advantage of both seed companies early order discounts and these cold winter days to plan ahead for spring and summer.