NC Cooperative Extension Service

Top Twelve Summer Pasture Questions

My pasture grass is short and thin, and weeds have almost taken over. Will eating Johnsongrass or broadleaf weeds hurt my grazing animals?

Johnsongrass, sorghum-sudan, corn, and many broadleaf weeds harvested shortly after a drought ends can cause heavy stock losses from nitrate-nitrite toxicity. Plants take up nitrates from the soil to make plant proteins for growth. When growth is slowed by lack of water, these nitrates accumulate. Once rains begin coming, the plant rapidly takes up even more nitrates trying to compensate for the slowed growth. When too many nitrates are eaten by the grazing animal, the excess nitrates become nitrites which are absorbed into the blood stream where they decrease the blood's ability to transport oxygen. The animal can suffocate. The whole process can be quite rapid. Avoid grazing these materials at this time. back to the list

Can I cut it for hay?

Drying the hay does not destroy the nitrates. If you must utilize this forage and cannot wait several more weeks for quality reasons, cut the plants so as to leave the bottom third of the plants in the field. The bottom third of the plant contains nearly 7 times more nitrate than the middle part. Cutting the plants for silage would be better than utilizing it as hay. Ensiling reduces nitrate concentrations by 1/5 to 2/3 within 2 days of packing. back to the list

What else can I do to protect my animals?

Mix other feedstuffs with forages that may be high in nitrates. Feed grain with the suspect forage. Send a forage sample in to NCDA to find out how high the nitrate levels are. back to the list

How do I submit a forage sample?

You need a pound of hay or silage for a nitrate test. If you are a North Carolina resident, the sample can be sent to Constable Lab in Raleigh. If you only want a nitrate test, there is no charge (other than your postage). Email Peggy Drechsler for more information about forage samples, pasture management and soil tests. back to the list

Why are my pastures thinning?

Thinning pastures are often seen after a lengthy dry spell. The most common grass in this area is tall fescue. Tall fescue is a cool season grass which goes dormant in hot dry weather. Continuous grazing of the plants prevents that natural dormancy from happening and weakens the plants. Broadleaf weed seeds germinate more easily as the grass grows thinner. These weeds further weaken the grass by competing for water and nutrients. back to the list

What can I do about broadleaf weeds? I sprayed them, but most of them are still there.

Broadleaf weeds are best chemically controlled when they are 4 to 8 inches tall, before heading. That usually means spraying around the end of April, when the grass is thick and lush and you don't think you have a weed problem. Spray for broadleaf winter weeds the end of November. Herbicides are much less effective once they have begun to head out. Bushhog the pasture after heading begins to prevent the weeds from going to seed. back to the list

What is a good stand?

A good fescue stand will have 40 to 60 seedlings per square foot by November. This will thicken up to provide 90 to 100 percent ground cover, shade out germinating weeds, and produce high yields in favorable weather conditions when managed properly. back to the list

I want to reseed my pasture. How much seed will I need?

Drill 10 to 15 lbs of fescue seed per acre 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep in rows 4 to 9 inches apart. Drilling concentrates the seeds within a furrow. The seeds occupy a smaller area of ground and are better able to break through the soil crust. Seed placement, soil contact, and stand uniformity are better with drilling than with broadcasting. back to the list

When is the best time to reseed?

The best time to plant fescue is August 25 through September 15 in this area. That gives you about a month to prepare the seedbed for optimum stand establishment. The first step is to take a soil test.back to the list

Why bother with a soil test?

For perennial crops such as grass seed and pastures, soils should be tested prior to seeding and subsequently at least every 3 years. A soil test helps you to develop and maintain a more productive soil. The soil test increases net returns per acre by providing information on available nutrients and fertility. This helps you select the correct kind and amount of fertilizer and lime. The amount of fertilizer and lime to apply for best crop growth depends on the crop, the soil type and current fertility status of the soil.back to the list

What kind of lime and what does it do?

The best lime for agricultural use is dolomitic lime. It slowly raises soil pH and allows plants to utilize soil nutrients (including fertilizers) more efficiently. Apply dolomitic lime and mix it with the soil prior to seeding. Several months prior is ideal, since lime reacts slowly with the soil.back to the list

When should I fertilize my fescue pasture and hayfields?

September and early April are the best times to fertilize tall fescue in established pastures. New seedling pastures should be fertilized prior to late summer planting and again in September of the following year. back to the list

Lara Worden , Area Specialized Agent

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/gaston/

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