CRP grass field - plow it up or leave alone

[bdog]

I have a 15 acre field that has CRP grass on it. It is not in the CRP program and I am free to do whatever I wish with it.

I would like to keep a few cows on it for a hobby more than anything. I was thinking maybe 3-4 calves nothing I am really concerned about trying to make a profit on just something to teach my kids more than anything.

I know this CRP grass is not the best forage material but it is kind of nice because the pasture is established, relatively weed free, and I don't really have to mess with it much.

I was considering plowing up the field and planting something like haygrazer (hybrid sorghum/sudan) in the spring and graze it and then plant winter wheat in the fall and graze it. I think this would be cool and educational for the kids as well but my only concern is I am always going to have to be plowing and planting or weeds will take over. This is not a problem now but I wonder how hard it would be to get a good stand of the native CRP grass back if at some point I decided to abandon the "farming".

 

[Western]

You can get native seed, but I would check the availability prior to starting, just to know you have that "option" later. One thing is for sure though, the native vegetation can handle the elements better than almost anything you can plant. For me, it would come down to how much $$ you want to throw at it every year. IMO, 3-4 calves could do fine on the CRP, better if you supplement them once in a while, like a protein tub.

 

[TripleR]

Switchgrass isn't too hard to establish, but it took us about three years to get a good stand of Indian Grass, Big and Little Bluestem, I sure wouldn't want to do it again as we had to rent planters and really work the ground up before planting.

 

[bdog]

Thanks for replies. I will look into the native seed options. Like I was saying cost really isn't a factor. I was just thinking it might be something cool to do for a while. It has been about ten years since I planted anything but when I did I used to really enjoy it.

 

[TripleR]

That is certainly understandable, I grew up farming row crop and cattle; sure learn the value of hard work.

 

[dave1949]

Switchgrass isn't too hard to establish, but it took us about three years to get a good stand of Indian Grass, Big and Little Bluestem, I sure wouldn't want to do it again as we had to rent planters and really work the ground up before planting.

The results sure look good! Do you bale it?

 

[TripleR]

The results sure look good! Do you bale it?

No, it is in CRP, we have considered returning it to cultivation or haying it, but it was a joint project of my father in law, me, our two sons and nephew. My father in law and nephew have passed on and it reminds us of good times past.

 

[Western]

Switchgrass isn't too hard to establish, but it took us about three years to get a good stand of Indian Grass, Big and Little Bluestem, I sure wouldn't want to do it again as we had to rent planters and really work the ground up before planting.

TR, that looks like some super Pheasant and quail cover!! CRP was where we found birds the few times I went Pheasant hunting in the panhandle. Milo fields bordered by CRP where loaded with birds.

 

[TripleR]

TR, that looks like some super Pheasant and quail cover!! CRP was where we found birds the few times I went Pheasant hunting in the panhandle. Milo fields bordered by CRP where loaded with birds.

Attempts by the Missouri Department of Conservation and landowners have not worked in this area. We stocked our farms several times and withing a year or so none remained. We have had a little better luck with quail, but too many fence rows and habitat diversity in general has made it hard. We had several coveys a few years ago, but only see them occasionally now.

We have a mixture of woods, grassland and row crops on all of our farms along with fence rows and readily available water with good deer and turkey populations as well as squirrels, coyotes, bobcats, racoons and some rabbits, but not many.

 

[teejk]

Attempts by the Missouri Department of Conservation and landowners have not worked in this area. We stocked our farms several times and withing a year or so none remained. We have had a little better luck with quail, but too many fence rows and habitat diversity in general has made it hard. We had several coveys a few years ago, but only see them occasionally now.

We have a mixture of woods, grassland and row crops on all of our farms along with fence rows and readily available water with good deer and turkey populations as well as squirrels, coyotes, bobcats, racoons and some rabbits, but not many.

Too many fence rows??? Loss of birds around here is usually due to removing those so the big tractors/combines can keep going in a straight line. How's your owl/hawk/eagle population? They are all federally protected (unless nobody is watching). Coyotes are expanding everywhere. You undoubtedly have wolves now too because a handful of people in the country think it would be nice to see one (they won't because they don't get out in the woods at those times of day).