Cool-season perennials are the primary forage grazed by livestock in Kentucky. Species, such as tall fescue and orchardgrass, will last for many years in a pasture with proper management. Good establishment and management principles must be practiced to allow for establishment of forages within newly renovated fields. Below are tips to help establish cool-season perennials.

Apply any needed lime and fertilizer - An up-to-date soil test will indicate the amount of lime, phosphorus, potassium, and other nutrients needed for the desired species to be seeded. Having the proper amount of nutrients can greatly impact the establishment of cool-season grasses.

Control competition - Herbicides can be used to control weeds when no-till seeding. Establishing the grass first in mixed stands allows for weeds to be controlled prior to interseeding a legume, such as clover. When using herbicides, always read and follow label directions; some products require a period of time after spraying before reseeding or overseeding. Most products recommend waiting 4 to 6 weeks or longer before seeding cool-season perennial grasses to reduce the risk of the product killing the seedlings. Grazing or mowing pastures close before seeding reduces existing vegetation and the competition it creates for new seedlings. When eliminating an old stand and completely reseeding a pasture, glyphosate is effective at killing KY-31 tall fescue and other forages in pastures. It may be ideal to spray the pasture in early to mid-July and then again 4 to 6 weeks later to kill weeds and plants that try to flourish after competition has been decreased.

Use high quality seed of an improved variety - Many varieties of commonly used grasses are available for seeding into pastures in Kentucky including: Kentucky bluegrass, orchardgrass, and tall fescue. Plant grass varieties that have been proven to be top performers under Kentucky conditions. The University of Kentucky forage variety trials are an excellent source of information for yield and variety information. If selecting to plant tall fescue, consider choosing a novel endophyte variety instead of one containing the endophyte that can cause fescue toxicosis. Novel-endophyte fescue contains endophytes that help the plant survive, but are not harmful to animals. Low or endophyte-free varieties are also available, but usually have shorter stand longevity under extensive management.

Use the best seeding method available - Conventionally tilled seedbeds can be more effective than no-till seedings, especially when a cultipacker or roller is used to firm the seedbed before and after seeding. No-till seeding is preferred on sloping land to prevent erosion, as well as when overseeding pastures without disturbing the existing pasture sod. Recommended seeding depth when using a grain drill or no-till drill is ¼ to ½ inch deep. A third, and less accurate method, is to harrow a pasture, broadcast the seed, then harrow or drag the pasture to cover the seed. All three can be successful if the seed is placed in firm contact with the soil with adequate soil moisture.

When seeding be sure to use enough seed. Not using recommended seeding rates will lead to a weak stand. Results of a weak stand are bare areas in the pasture, and this is where weeds can grow and out-compete grass seedlings. Seeding rates can be found in AGR-18 publication found on the UK Forage website.

Proper timing to establish new grass stands - To get the best results, prepare the field in July or early August. If using tillage, make sure to prepare a fine, firm seedbed. Seed in late August or early September whether you are overseeding, no-till seeding into a killed sod, or seeding into a prepared seedbed. As a general rule, the best dates to seed cool season grasses in the fall are between August 20 and September 20. Dates can vary depending on the year’s growing season and soil moisture conditions, but the odds of a good establishment decline the longer one waits to seed after September 20.

Allow time for pasture plants to establish - As new stands of cool-season grasses emerge, do not allow animals to graze them immediately. Overgrazing newly seeded areas is one of the major causes of seeding failures. The ideal management is to take the first cutting for hay the following spring or use light grazing before a stand is well established.

Consider your management style when selecting forage species - When selecting what forage to plant, take into consideration the management style on your farm. Different forages require different management practices, and special considerations. For example, orchardgrass and endophyte-free fescue cannot withstand continuous grazing and must be given a rest period. However, KY bluegrass and novel endophyte tall fescue can withstand continuous grazing with proper stocking rates.

Success in establishing new seedings requires several steps to be taken. Spending money on seed and herbicide can be costly, and not following good management practices will only lead to wasted money and a poor stand of grass.

Categories: 
Fall
Establishment/Renovation