Extension Report

Baldwin County Extension Office

302A Byrne Street

Bay Minette, AL  36507

Telephone (251) 937-7176 or

928-0860/943-5061 ext. 2222

FAX (251) 937-7285

Anthony Wiggins

Regional Extension Agent/Animal Science & Forages

August 9, 2011

Pasture Renovation

Every year I get a number of calls related to pasture renovation.  There has been and continues to be considerable discussion on the merits of pasture renovation with some sort of mechanical aeration.  There are some situations where renovation with an aerator is justified, but in many instances, it’s not economical.  Mike Davis, an area agronomist with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, did some research on the topic and this is what he concluded.

On eroded clay hills where there is little topsoil or in spots where winter hay feeding has killed grass, renovation may be necessary.  However, periodic pasture renovation on well established perennial forage is not economical.  In pasture research conducted in Mississippi and Tennessee, pasture aeration resulted in a slight increase in forage production.  The increase in production was not sufficient enough to offset the cost of ownership of the equipment and/or the cost of the aeration procedure.

In research conducted at the Wiregrass Research and Extension Center where soils were dug up to determine the depth of bahia grass roots, root development was deeper than 6 feet in undisturbed soil.  This work was in conjunction with bahia grass/peanut rotation work.  It’s hard to improve on that root development with a shallow aerator.

In the two examples where aeration might be beneficial, eroded clay hills and feeding pad damage, a simple way to reestablish forages on these areas is to feed hay on them and apply small amounts of lime and fertilizer while hay is being fed.  Additionally, small amounts of grass seed and clover seed could be broadcast over the area to reseed or seed from the hay being fed should be sufficient for reseeding.  The hoof action of cattle and the addition of manure and urine by the animals eating hay along with wasted hay for the addition of organic matter all will create an excellent seedbed for the development of forage seed.

As a result of the extended summer drought, many pastures have partial stands of grass with bare ground.  This fall might be a good time to renovate the pastures since there is little competition.

For bahia grass based pastures producers might consider drilling in a small grain (rye, wheat, oats, or triticale), along with a small amount of bahia grass to strengthen stands, crimson clover, and ryegrass (gulf or common preferably to reduce competition with bahia next spring and early summer).  Seeding rates should be 60-70 pounds of small grain, 5-10 pounds of bahia grass, 10-12 pounds of crimson clover, and 10-15 pounds of ryegrass (a short season variety).  Remember to address any phosphorus needs (since P is very critical in legume N fixation) along with pH levels (>5.8 preferably).

In both cases, regular soil testing and fertilizer/lime application is important along with cattle removal from the seeded area until sufficient forage stands have been obtained.

Email address: wiggia1@aces.edu

Phone number: 937-7176 or 943-5061, 928-0860, ext. 2222

Baldwin County Extension Programs are supported by the Baldwin County Commission.

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M and Auburn Universities) in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture is an equal opportunity educator and employer.