I've got some pasture/hay fields that I want to maintain/improve. What are the preferred methods and tools? I have already done soil testing.
- bush hog/clip
- drag chain harrow
- seeding: how, which tools?
- lime/fertilizer: hire this out?
- weed control?
- aeration?
- other?
Thanks.
1st. Bush Hog. That's almost a given. You'll need SOMETHING to mow 'em with, and a rotary cutter is the most common method.
2nd. Drag chain harrow. I've never felt the need for one, but some people use 'em to keep manure piles broken up and spread. Let's call that one "optional"
3rd Seeding. New we get to the "well, that depends" answers. Soil type? Desired crop to seed? Time of year? Soil CONDITION? You may do well with no-tilling. You may need light tillage. You may need deep tillage to break compaction. Those things dictate which method of seeding will follow.
4th Lime/fertilizer application. Timing..... Are you plowing? Discing? No-till seeding? How MUCH fertilizer/lime do you need, and does it need to be surface applied or incorperated into the soil? Do you have, or can you rent the equipment needed to spread it? Or is it simply cheaper and more efficient to hirs it done?
5th Weed control. First question. What are your problem weeds? And that has a follow-up question. What will your problem weeds be in the future? Those questions will determine how to treat. Are you up to the task of spraying? Or is that a "hired" job? Mowing frequently can help eliminate quite a few problem weeds. (don't allow 'em to go to seed)
6th Aerification. Are you in a freeze/thaw zone? That'll take care of a certain amount of aerification the natural way. I've NEVER aerified pastures and always had green healthy fields. Let's tag that one "optional" too.
OK.... I just threw more questions than answers your way. Lotta help I am. My suggestion? Get in touch with your county AG extention office and let them make localized suggestions based on what's available and what works in your conditions. Taking care of a pasture or hayfield takes a plan. But that plan needs constant adjustment. Crop science is a fluid subject. You can't sit down now and plan weather occurances for the next 10 years. It requires a person to "read" the conditions and results of the previous year's maintenance program to determine what to do THIS year.
And then.... You gotta work with what you have to work with. Sounds simple and it is. If you don't have certain implements, and you can't get your hands on them, you must plan around what you CAN get.