Posted 2012-07-22 8:02 AM (#145755) Subject: More Pasture Questions
Regular
Posts: 88
We have been trying to resurrect some old pasture that was over grown for years. Reseeded (Frost Seed) in Feb. But do to a dry spring very little has grown. Golden rod and crown vetch seem to be the most abundant along with wild parsnip and few burdock. Short of plowing everything under and starting from scratch...Is there any other choices? The lay of the land would make plowing almost impossible. I'm talking almost 10 acres so hand spraying is not an option(Tried it). Is there any dry spread broadleaf weed killer that might work? Got a great deal on some weed and feed 2 weeks ago and spread it. Didn't seem to do a thing. Cost is going to be a factor. We have the 10 acres split into 4 pastures to allow grazing rotations. One week on each section. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Posted 2012-07-22 8:33 AM (#145756 - in reply to #145755) Subject: RE: More Pasture Questions
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
Talk to your county extension agent. See if they have a small pasture specialist.
Your area of the country will dictate what will work for you.
If you were near me, I'd suggest you get a tank on your ATV and spray it. But any 2-4-D based type of product that kills broadleafs also needs to be used when the temps are below 80°. For most people that pushes the application period out till fall after our summer temps cool off. The old saying, "If you seed one year, you have to weed for seven years" I would try to prevent what you currently have from going to seed.
I always try to plant any grasses in the fall so they can germinate in the fall temps and grow roots all winter, so they are more established by next summers heat. The county extension agent can help you choose the best seed variaty for your area.
Posted 2012-07-22 2:23 PM (#145759 - in reply to #145756) Subject: RE: More Pasture Questions
Elite Veteran
Posts: 781 Location: La Cygne, KS
A flock of sheep or goats rotated between the paddock pastures will eat the weeds you mentioned right now and will prevent most from going to seed. We rotate sheep between horse pasture and have nary a weed in our fields. I use electronet for the sheep so I can control grazing location and duration. Works great! Sheep benefit from having a plentiful buffet and the horses have more grass instead of weeds. Also the horses and sheep grazing after each other breaks the parasite life cycle.So maybe you could lease your land out for a little while to small sheep or goat producer. Win -Win for both of you.
Posted 2012-07-23 1:08 PM (#145764 - in reply to #145760) Subject: RE: More Pasture Questions
Regular
Posts: 72 Location: Hoosierville
Well if your county extension agent wasn't any help then they certainly have the free reading material available in their office to help you sort out how and what to do. Or you could contact an agricultural university and get some resource material from them. Also any of your local grain or seed elevator businesses can help you and perhaps even do the spraying.
I know; because I have "been there and done that".
It sounds as though you need to kill your field and start over! I also agree with other poster who said "use an atv and spray 2-4 D to kill all your broad leaf weeds.
Good luck!
Posted 2012-07-25 9:01 AM (#145820 - in reply to #145755) Subject: RE: More Pasture Questions
Regular
Posts: 79 Location: Bonham, TX
Besides County extension agents we also have a U.S.D.A. Soil & Water Conservation office. The guys here are very knowledgeable on pasture forage, whether its starting from the ground up or keeping an established pasture healthy. See if there is something similar in your area.
Posted 2012-07-26 4:01 PM (#145877 - in reply to #145755) Subject: RE: More Pasture Questions
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 455 Location: Texas
Is mowing an option? Grass that is mowed often, will naturally "sod up" and the grass will overtake the weeds. Now, maybe a chemical is needed to help that process along, if the weeds have too good a hold. You asked about dry spread weed killer. Is liquid not an option?
Posted 2012-09-28 2:46 PM (#147303 - in reply to #145755) Subject: RE: More Pasture Questions
Veteran
Posts: 186
Milestone, is a natural product and works excellent on broad leaf weeds.
2-4D works good but you have to keep the horses off for 2 weeks, the Milestone product says you don't even have to take milking cows off of it after spraying. I have over 10 acres and just use a few gallon hand sprayer - it isn't easy - waiting for the weather to be just perfect but it can be done. Also you will need to take soil samples fertilize no matter what type of week killer used.
Posted 2012-09-28 9:39 PM (#147309 - in reply to #145755) Subject: RE: More Pasture Questions
Expert
Posts: 2615
If you can apply Roundup with Cimmaron next spring early,before your grass comes out of dormancy,(per tank sprayer by tractor if possible) this should really help with the weed control.You can then apply 2,4-D and Cimmaron or Pastora about a month later (which will be fine if the temp has warmed up,it will not hurt your pasture for a finish control.You should see a real difference.May have to do this 2 years in a row,however,for permanent control.
Posted 2012-09-28 9:40 PM (#147310 - in reply to #147309) Subject: RE: More Pasture Questions
Expert
Posts: 2615
PS we have never pulled our horses off of pasture after 2,4-D application.As far as I know,and have been advised by our coop,there are no grazing restrictions on it.
Posted 2012-09-28 11:49 PM (#147311 - in reply to #145883) Subject: RE: More Pasture Questions
Veteran
Posts: 201 Location: Lincoln, NE
Maybe you could find someone with a tractor and sprayer that could spray your pasture at the right time. I was able to do that once and it really helped. Unfortunately, the guy decided he would get out of spraying for others.
Sprayers at Tractor Supply or Orschlein aren't but a couple hundred dollars. Might be a good investment to keep weeds down from year to year.
Mowing the pasture should work, too. Again, timing is important.Good luck.
Posted 2012-10-02 6:48 AM (#147382 - in reply to #145755) Subject: RE: More Pasture Questions
Elite Veteran
Posts: 657 Location: Rayne, LA
I have a "Wick Bar" that I put a 50/50 2-4D and water mixture and carry with chains off the bucket on the tractor or a hitch that fits in the receiver hitch on my side-by-side. I travel in the pasture with it barely above that good grass and it does a great job on the trash grass. It sounds like it takes a lot of 2-4D, but it really doesn't because you can take what is left in the bar and save for the next application. To do 10 acres takes about a 1 1/2 gallon mixture. Google wick bar and several hits should come up. I bought mine from a place in Mississippi but many are offered around the counrty.
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