The Cooperative Extension Service   
of Henry County, Kentucky

AGRICULTURE ARCHIVES

PASTURE RENOVATION

It's time to start "Beefing Up" pastures and hay fields. The optimum window for seeding most of our cool season grasses and legumes runs from Early February to mid April. The early part of this time period usually allows us the opportunity to use "Freeze Seeding", whereby the natural freezing and thawing action of the soil helps "plant" the seed.

Follow these six important steps when renovating grass fields with legumes:

1. Have the soil tested and apply the needed lime and fertilizer. Legumes need a higher soil pH and fertility level than grasses. However, DO NOT use nitrogen. Added nitrogen stimulates grasses, which increase competition with the legumes.

2. Reduce the vegetative cover on the soil. This is best done by heavy grazing in late fall and early winter. Removing the excess grass cover will make it easier to get the legume seed in contact with the soil.

3. Select the legumes to be used. This will depend on the soil and the planned use of the forage. For hay, alfalfa or red clover is usually best. For both hay and grazing, a combination of red clover and ladino clover works well. Ladino, red clover, and/or annual lespedeza work well in pastures.

4. Use the right kind and amount of seed. Select varieties that perform well in your area. The only way to be sure of what you're planting is to use certified seed. Also, be sure to sure the right kind of high quality inoculant mixed with the seed just before planting. Use a sticking agent to be sure that the inoculant sticks to the seed.

5. Plant the seed so that it makes good contact with the soil. There are several ways to do this. One of the best ways for most farmers is to use a disk, field cultivator, or field tiller.
   
   Disturb 40 to 60 percent of the sod for planting clovers. For alfalfa seeding, almost all of the sod should be torn up (loosened from the soil). Broadcast the seed and pack the soil with a corrugated roller.
   
   Another method is to use a no-till renovation seeder. These do a good job of placing the seed in the soil, but they don't reduce the competition from the grass.
   
   A simple, but effective method is to broadcast the legume seed on the soil surface in late winter (Feb. 15 to March 15). As the soil freezes and thaws, the seeds become covered. This method does not work well with alfalfa.

6. Control grass and weed competition. This step is one of the most critical ones. Many attempts at renovation have failed simply because the grass was allowed to grow and reduce the light, nutrients, and water available to the young legume plants. The grass must be kept short by grazing or mowing until the new legume plants are 3 to 4 inches tall. Stop grazing if the animals begin biting off the young legume leaves. Grazing and mowing should be stopped for several weeks to allow the legumes to become well established. After this, the field should be mowed or grazed on a schedule that will help keep the particular legumes used in good condition. A rotational grazing system helps keep legumes in the stand longer.