Page 11 - MWC 10-26-2023s

Is it time to renovate The Midwest Cattleman · October 26, 2023 · P11

your pasture?

By Rebecca Vittetoe, ISU extension field agronomist, and
Meaghan Anderson, ISU extension field agronomist
After the last several Some may still have time
years of dry conditions, some to do fall herbicide applica-
pastures may benefit from tions in pastures. Applica-
renovation in 2024. Proper tions should be made when
planning and preparation the sun is shining, and day-
are needed to successfully time temperatures are above
improve pastures with either 50-55 degrees Fahrenheit.
a late winter frost seeding or Fall herbicide applications
no-till renovation with inter- can still be effective even
seeding next spring. Below after a frost event (or two).
are some good reminders on
what you should be doing continued on page 25
now to prepare for pasture
renovations in 2024.
Address soil fertility
needs. To improve the suc-
cess of frost seeding or inter-
seeding, adequate soil fertili-
ty is important. The only way
to know what the soil fertili-
ty levels are in your pasture
is by taking soil samples for
testing. Preferably, take soil
samples yet this fall to deter-
mine lime, phosphorus, and
potassium needs. More infor-
mation on soil sampling and
testing is available here.
•A soil pH of 6.0 is recom-
mended for grass, clovers,
and birdsfoot trefoil and
for alfalfa a soil pH of 6.9 is
recommended. Ideally, lime
should be applied a year be-
fore seeding. Note that if
placing lime on the soil sur-
face with no incorporation,
follow the 2-to-3-inch lime
recommendations.
•Adequate phosphorus
and potassium are important
to improve pasture establish-
ment and production. Use
soil test results to determine
if phosphorus and potassium
levels are adequate or if lev-
els are low and it would be
beneficial to apply some fer-
tilizer to bring up those lev-
els.
•Do NOT apply early sea-
son nitrogen to frost seeded
or interseeded areas to mini-
mize early season growth and
competition from weeds and
already established plants in
the area.
Control problematic
weeds. If thistles or other
broadleaf weeds are prob-
lematic, control them before
adding a legume to a pas-
ture or hay stand. Fall can be
a good time to control these
problematic weeds.