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Discussion on Letting a farm field rest before planting pasture
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Member:
Pam1
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Posted on Saturday, Sep 4, 2004 - 10:37 pm:
We are thinking of planting about 25 of our 40 acres in horse pasture. Currently it is being farmed and is in corn. What I would like to know is should we let the field lay fallow to rest next season and then plant the following season? Would this be helpful to rid the ground of harmful or excessive fertilizer etc.? Is it necessary for a good pasture?
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Member:
Eoeo
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Posted on Sunday, Sep 5, 2004 - 12:59 am:
First, is the ground irrigated? Irrigation will leach a lot of fertilizer and chemicals. Usually, no more fertilizer is applied to crops than what they will use up in a single season since they are so expensive. You also need to know what weed control was used in the corn. Certain ones, such as atrizine (sp?) will be retained to a certain degree and not permit grass or other things to grow for at least another year. EO
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Member:
Sandbox
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Posted on Sunday, Sep 5, 2004 - 10:35 am:
Pam -
I planted pasture on farm land with identical conditions as you described spring 2003. It had been planted to corn the previous year but hadn't had atrizine applied (as EO cautioned you about). I planted A1 pasture mix with a barley cover crop (this was recommended by the local seed company). Mother Nature gave me lots of moisture (no irrigation) and it grew great. I had to have the cover crop swathed and baled last fall so the pasture could continue growing without competition.
We did fertilize it this spring (May 2004) just to give it a little more energy.
I'm planning on putting horses on it this month for the first time. It grew so well this summer I had to hay it and got over 600 bales on 25 acres of pasture - crazy!
I've have an acquaintance that has in doctorate in rangeland management and he's been assisting me on my pasture project. He did advise me to let the land lay fallow for a year after having corn on it but I couldn't wait and it didn't seem to affect my pasture.
Sandy
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Member:
Suzeb
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Posted on Sunday, Sep 5, 2004 - 5:32 pm:
Hello Pam,
Perhaps you could check with your local agricultural agent. Do some soil testing if necessary with the intented use of the land in mind. If you are going to go through the trouble of planting a pasture, you might as well do it right the first time. EO is right, moisture levels do play a huge part in leaching nutrients out of the soil or bringing up stuff from deep down that has been laying dormant in DrOught years.
Hope this helps.
Susan B. 
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Member:
Imogen
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Posted on Monday, Sep 6, 2004 - 2:21 am:
Hi Pam
I reset a pasture this year and was amazed at the hassle, long timescale and expense - much more than expected! I know my friend who grows organic vegetables commercially would tell you if the land has been under corn for a long time it is bereft of organic matter and helpful insects, earthworms etc. so spread plenty of muck... but not horse muck because of the worms issue.
There is also some debate about whether you should include clover in the mixture. If clover, less fertilizer in future, but weed control becomes more of a hassle as most things that will control broadleaved weeds will also kill clover. I have knowledgeable farming friends who disagree on this.
Ask your agricultural extension service as Susan suggests...
All the best
Imogen
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Member:
Eoeo
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Posted on Monday, Sep 6, 2004 - 10:33 am:
For those of you planning to plant pasture grass in the future, you might check out Fuego. It was perfected in Canada and resists DrOught once it is established. The West side of Washington can grow it just with their rainfall. Here on the eastside we irrigate. It is the toughest stuff I have ever seen once it is established. Root system that you won't believe. We planted some 3 years ago and it is fantastic. Putting more in. It is a little spendy but worth it. EO
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Member:
Eoeo
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Posted on Monday, Sep 6, 2004 - 10:35 am:
Forgot to mention, it is cold, cold winter hardy.
We have had 20 degrees below zero and it doesn't faze it. We also get 100+ in the summer and it rocks on with a little water. :-) EO
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Member:
Albionsh
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Posted on Monday, Sep 6, 2004 - 11:36 am:
My husband and I are also in the Pacific Northwest and we are looking for a winter hardy grass to use in our non-irrigated meadow. I did a search and found some interesting facts--definitely not the whole picture, but something to consider. Fuego is a varient of fescue, and so those related issues should probably be considered. Here is the link: https:/grazel.taranaki.ac.nz/grazel/graze/fuego.html
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Monday, Sep 6, 2004 - 6:51 pm:
What wonderful advice all around. Pam it boils down to the particulars of your fields: write down the history over the past few years, get some soil analysis done, then consult your local extension about your next steps. Here locally they are very knowledgable folk with lots of experience.
DrO
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Member:
Pam1
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Posted on Monday, Sep 6, 2004 - 9:35 pm:
Thank you for all the information, everyone! I will inquire with the farmer that has been farming it for years about the Atrizine use. No, it is not irrigated. The land is in Mid-Michigan, so it does get cold. Another factor in the decision on what to plant and how to fertilize is that I wish to keep it organic and as natural as possible. . . .
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