Seeding Perennial Forages: Restoration / Renovation of Pastures and Hay Fields
Determining whether a forage stand should be restored or renovated is the first step in successful forage management. Photo Credit: Jessica Williamson
Early fall and spring are the best times to assess forage stands and determine if improvements should be made for the upcoming growing season to optimize forage quality and yield. New forage stands and restore existing pastures and hay fields that are lagging in yield and productivity. There are several factors to consider when determining which species to plant and to help ensure proper germination, growth, and stand longevity.
Assess Current Stand Productivity
Determining how productive the current perennial forage stand is is essential in making the decision for improvement. This Fact Sheet by Oregon State University is an excellent place to start to see predicted forage yields based on forage species. This NRCS Pasture Condition Score Sheet can also be a great tool for assessing both pastures and hay fields for productivity and aid in helping to make the decision for management.
Restoring Current Forage Stands
If keeping the existing vegetation in the field and simply restoring the stand is decided upon, a producer should take soil samples of their fields to determine the current pH and nutrient availability. If weed pressure is high, spraying herbicide to control the weeds prior to planting is suggested. Herbicide efficacy and rates can be found in the Penn State Agronomy Guide.
Planting with a no-till drill to fill in bare ground or to take the place of where undesirable plant species have been killed with herbicide is recommended. Mowing or grazing forages so that there is a residue height of about 3" will help to ensure the seeds are placed properly and ensure the best chances of optimal germination.
Soil nutrient amendments based on your soil reports should be made to meet the needs of the desired plant species.
Renovating Pastures and Hay Fields
If after assessing the current productivity of the forage stand the manager decides on destroying the field and starting over with a complete renovation, burning down the existing stand with herbicide is first recommended before reseeding forages. A soil test should also be conducted to determine soil nutrient needs and recommendations.
A no-till drill can be used for minimal soil-disturbance while planting, or full tillage can be utilized in a complete renovation system.
Seed-to-Soil Contact and Seeding Rate
Regardless of forage species or method of planting, proper seed-to-soil contact is essential for germination initiation. Imbibition, or the uptake of water into the seed, is set in motion by seed-to-soil contact and is the first phase in germination. A firm, clean seedbed is the best way to ensure proper planting depth for perennial forages; however, no-till establishment is becoming more popular as equipment improves and proper seeding depth is more achievable in small seed forages. For most cool-season perennial forage species, no more than ½" seeding depth is recommended, with ¼" being the most ideal. A good rule of thumb to know if your seeding depth is correct is 10% of the seeds should be seen on the soil surface.
Proper seeding rate for your stand will be dependent upon which forage species you choose and if it will be a monoculture (pure stand) or a mixture of forage species.
| Forage Species | Pure Stand (lb/ac) | Mixture (lb/ac) |
|---|---|---|
| Legumes | ||
| Alfalfa | 15-18 | 10 |
| Birdsfoot trefoil | 10 | 6 |
| Red Clover | 10-12 | 2-4 |
| White Clover | 10-12 | 2-4 |
| Grasses | ||
| Orchardgrass | 10 | 4-8 |
| Tall Fescue | 12 | 5-8 |
| Smooth Bromegrass | 14 | 6-10 |
| Timothy | 8-10 | 5-8 |
| Reed Canarygrass | 14 | 5-7 |
| Kentucky Bluegrass | 14 | 5-7 |
Proper Soil pH
The correct soil pH according to forage species is essential for germination, stand longevity, and optimal yields.
Tolerance of Forage Species to Soil pH.
Adapted from Dr. Marvin Hall, The Pennsylvania State University
pH 5.5-6.0
- Tall Fescue
- Reed Canarygrass
- Redtop
- Birdsfoot Trefoil
- Crownvetch
pH 6.0-6.5
- Kentucky Bluegrass
- Orchardgrass
- Smooth bromegrass
- Timothy
- Ladino clover
- Alsike clover
- Red clover
pH 6.5-7.0
- Alfalfa
- Sweet clover
Matching Forage Characteristics to Your Environment
Seedling vigor, tolerance to drought or wet conditions, tolerance to low pH and frequent harvests, and persistence are all variable across forage species. When determining which species would best fit a scenario, all aspects should be considered.
Characteristics of cool-season perennial grasses
| Grass | Seedling Vigor | Droughty | Wet | Low pH | Persistence | Tolerance to Frequent Harvests | Relative Maturity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Bluegrass | M | L | M | M | H | H | Early |
| Orchardgrass | H | M | M | M | M | H | Early-medium |
| Perennial Ryegrass | H | L | M | M | L | H | Early-medium |
| Reed canarygrass | L | H | H | H | H | H | Medium-late |
| Smooth bromegrass | H | H | M | M | H | L | Medium-late |
| Tall Fescue | H | M | M | H | M | H | Medium-late |
| Timothy | M | L | L | M | H | L | Late |
H = High; M = Medium; L = Low. Adapted from Dr. Marvin Hall, The Pennsylvania State University
Forage species differ in their productivity throughout the year. This chart from the Agronomy Guide shows the variation in forage productivity based on forage species. The operational goals and needs for forage should be considered when matching a forage species to the operation.
Growth curves of various pasture components. (from Penn State Agronomy Guide)
Carefully analyzing the criteria for your situation will better enable you to make an informed decision when determining how to go forward with forage management decisions.
