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Selecting A Pasture | FarmSeeds.com

HORSE - EQUESTRIAN Selecting A Grass

Pasture forages vary with the temperature zones just like the turf grasses do. After all; the finest of lawn grasses started as pasture and were developed to suit the needs of home owners. Many original grasses have been improved to suit the needs of the smaller scaled farmer, rancher, or hobbyist owning fewer animals on less acreage than in the past.

Pastures can be the staple in the food chain if planned in the beginning.  Rotational lots are the key to success in utilizing pasture space to the fullest potential. Small acreage that is well managed can be cheaper in the long run as opposed to those hefty feed bills each month. Horses especially do better in a rotational system. If there are several varieties of plants growing in one field the horse will (just like you or I ) pick out the tastiest growth and eat it down to the dirt. Many a horse lover has had to call the vet for this very reason. 

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Cool Season Northern Pastures - Warm Season Southern Pastures

Having two small lots and rotating the time spent in either will help the food source go farther. Plus this way one of the lots could be sown in a higher costing seed that provides more nutrition and  provides  more variety. Before man started fencing  livestock  in restricted spaces they were free to pick and choose which plants they wanted. When one area was grazed  low they naturally moved on to the next range and thus were provided the variety of vegetation and minerals needed to sustain the generations and keep the herds healthy..

Many of the old stand-by forages have been developed and improved over the years to provide better protein and vegetative material per plant. Incorporating some newer varieties has enabled  farmers or ranchers to get the most out of the least amount of land. Additional feeds are then supplemental to the main use of the pasture. Overseeding practices have become more popular in helping to extend the months in some regions that pastures can  be used. These practices can also benefit full time pastures in the warmer climates that have thinned and need a little renovation. All pastures naturally have some rate of decline over time due to climate conditions, hoof wear, disease, erosion factors, little or no fertilization being applied, or other factors.

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Soil tests are the only true way to determine amount sand ratios of  fertilizer and other elements needed in your particular area. The county agents in your area are equipped to handle this at a reasonable fee or suggest where to send samples. They are trained to provide knowledge on   varieties of grasses or other forages that perform best for your particular needs.  Many counties offer programs for beginners and old hands on all kinds of agricultural subjects that can help you plan and manage your acreage no matter how large or small your acreage.

Pastures need soil testing about every two years to keep forage fertility at its best.  Pastures are not established in two or three months, this is a commitment to permanency and generally it can take from nine to twelve months or more depending upon the choice of forage, fertilization and climatic conditions of the year.

For more on specific pasturage and crops - visit these sites:

• Bahiagrass
• Bermudagrass
• Forage grasses
• Farm Seeds
• MaxQ Tall Fescue
• Tall Fescue
• Ryegrasses

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