Rotational Grazing Foundation Mix

Successful pasture establishment starts with eliminating competition from existing vegetation. For new seedings into sod or weedy ground, apply a burndown herbicide or till and allow a flush of weed germination before final seedbed preparation.

For renovation seedings into thinned existing pasture, mow closely and use a slit-seeder to introduce the mix directly into the existing sward without full tillage. pH should be corrected to 6.0-7.0 before seeding — take a soil test if the field has not been limed in the past 3 years.

Lime at least 60 days before seeding to allow it to react with soil. Apply phosphorus and potassium per soil test recommendations; avoid applying nitrogen at establishment, as it will favor grass over clover and suppress legume nodulation.

Drill the mix at 13 lbs per acre using a pasture or forage drill set to 1/4 inch depth. If broadcasting, spread at 15-16 lbs per acre (slightly higher to compensate for lower seed-to-soil contact) and cultipack before and after seeding.

In a slit-seeder renovation, run at 10-12 lbs per acre directly into the existing sward. Always inoculate the clover component — mix white clover and red clover seed with a fresh peat-based Rhizobium leguminosarum inoculant just before planting.

Do not mix inoculant with fertilizer; the fertilizer salts will kill the bacteria. Keep inoculated seed out of direct sunlight and plant within 24 hours of inoculation.

Germination occurs in 7-14 days under adequate moisture and soil temperatures above 50°F. Orchardgrass and Tall Fescue will emerge first; clover seedlings are small and slow to show.

Do not evaluate stand success before 21-28 days. During establishment, clover seedlings are vulnerable to competition — if broadleaf weeds are heavy, mow or clip to 4-6 inches to reduce canopy competition without removing the small clover seedlings.

Target stand density is 4-6 grass plants per square foot plus visible clover coverage of 20-30% of the surface area.

Stands thinner than 3 grass plants per square foot should be evaluated for frost heave, seedbed conditions, or weed competition and re-seeded in any bare areas.

Delay first grazing until the stand has been growing for 60-90 days and individual grass plants have established root systems deep enough to resist pulling.

A simple test: tug a grass plant — if it pulls free of the soil with minimal resistance, the roots are not established enough.

First grazing should be brief (1-2 days maximum) and at high plant height (6-8 inches), and the paddock should be given a full 30-45 day recovery before the second grazing.

Do not over-graze in the first season; doing so thins the stand and allows weeds to re-colonize. Full rotational schedules at commercial stocking rates should begin in the second growing season.