With our mild winter & rain our pastures have greened up and spring is around the corner. It’s time to think about planting seed folks.
Most of you plant annual grasses. This year it’s time to think differently. Planting annuals will be expensive; it may be time to look at perennial grasses. Talk to us about what you are considering. If you normally plant Sorghum, Sudan, or RedTop, you need to be looking at permanent grasses. This is the best time to make a permanent investment in your pastures. Study the long costs and see what is more economical.
- It will allow your pastures to heal up after the drought
- Cattle number’s are low this year, most moving out due to the drought
- Cost to feed cattle will be less expensive with permanent grasses
Here are a few grasses to consider:
Bermudagrass (perennials) Development of hybrid bermudagrass at Tifton, Georgia in the 1940s revolutionized forage production for pasture and hay across the south. Bermudagrass has short, narrow leaves, strong stolons, forms dense sod and withstands intense grazing. Today 8 to 10 million acres of permanent pasture are established in Texas, with 20,000 to 40,000 acres planted or replanted annually to improved releases. “Coastal” is the most common but Tifton 85 provides superior yields and digestibility; most commonly planted as sprigs but 5 to 8% of the new plantings are seeded types, such as Giant, Cheyene, CD, and KY lines. Insect pests include fall and beet army worms suppressed by cold or warm weather; usually not treated if outbreaks occur late in the year. Weeds include annual grasses and broadleaves and can be severe when sprigging new stands.
Kleingrass Grown for pasture or hay, generally south of I-20 in Texas. Requires careful grazing management to avoid loss of stand. No particular insect or disease problems; thin stands become weedy. Estimated 5,000 to 15,000 acres are seeded annually.
Sorghum and sorghum-sudan hybrids (annuals) Sorghum/sudan hybrids are drill planted or disced in with fertilizer annually for high quality silage, hay, or rotational grazing. Development of BMR (brown mid rib, with higher quality) has increased acreage – especially for dairies. Some foliar insect pests. Few weed problems if planted thick.
Give us a call at 210-416-6415 and we’ll talk you through the economics and what will work best for you this year.
As tempting as it is to plant early, remember that the chance of a freeze still remains! Early to mid march can still see a freeze around these parts.
Winter Weeds
Now is the time to consider spraying those pesky weeds. If you don’t take care of them they will share out the perennial grasses. Remember, grasses need sunlight, warmth, moisture and nutrients to grow. The weeds share the grass and add stress during optimal growing periods! Take care of your weeks by praying them or using an organic fertilizer. Talk to us about options, we have one that will work for you.
Hay
Here we are in March, and we have a good selection of quality hay! If you’re in need of hay, give Fred a call. Our hay barns are ready.
With the rain and green pastures the demand for hay let up some. It looks like we are now back to our dry pattern, with little rain in the forecast.
