Pig Pasture & Forage Mix

Pig Forage Mix is a custom multi-species blend designed to support healthy, natural pig grazing. It includes cool-season grasses (bluegrass, orchardgrass, barley) and high-protein legumes (alfalfa, clovers, trefoil), plus chicory for added nutrition. Pigs enjoy rooting and grazing on clover and herbs, and the mix promotes strong growth, better sow condition, and improved piglet survival. It also extends the grazing season and enriches the soil through nitrogen fixation.

This mix offers excellent forage quality. Legumes like alfalfa, clovers, and trefoil provide high protein and digestibility, while grasses add essential fiber. Barley and chicory enhance palatability and mineral content. In peak season, expect crude protein levels around 15–20%—ideal for milk production in ruminants and weight gain in finishing hogs. It’s a well-balanced, high-performing pasture blend.

Prepare a firm, weed-free seedbed in early spring (Mar–Apr) or late summer (Aug–Sept). Broadcast or drill seed at 20–25 lbs/acre, no deeper than ¼ inch, and firm the soil. Drilling gives the best depth control, but broadcasting followed by cultipacking also works. For frost-seeding, increase the rate by 25%. No-till drilling into existing sod is possible in early spring—just ensure good seed-to-soil contact. Keep the soil moist for 2–3 weeks after planting to support establishment.

This mix prefers moisture but handles drought well once established. Keep the seedbed moist during germination. After that, deep-rooted species like alfalfa and chicory access subsoil moisture and stay productive during dry spells. Bluegrass may go dormant in heat, but typically recovers. Moderate watering helps maintain yield, but the mix is more drought-resilient than grass-only pastures. Avoid poorly drained or waterlogged soils, as none of the species tolerate standing water.

Use rotational grazing for best results. Let grass reach 6–8 inches before grazing, and avoid grazing below 2 inches to protect regrowth. Orchardgrass and clovers thrive with regular grazing that prevents stem bolting. For pigs or small livestock, allow short daily forages (1–2 hours) as a supplement. Always allow 2–3 weeks for recovery between grazings. If cutting for hay or silage, harvest when alfalfa is in early bloom for optimal quality.

Not quite a turf lawn, but it’s a tough, functional groundcover. The mix is coarser and taller than typical lawn grass, but Kentucky bluegrass provides traffic tolerance and sod-forming ability. It works well in pastures, paddocks, or large open areas where durability and low input matter more than a manicured look. Mowed to 4–6 inches, it stays tidy with a natural, meadow-like appearance thanks to flowering clovers.