Disc Question

jmc · Aug 5, 2004

"P.S. keep that dern fescue out of it. "

Birdhunter, why is that?

John

MicroPilot · Aug 5, 2004

It's bad for livestock and wildlife. See the article Fescue Eradication .

jmc · Aug 5, 2004

Thanks. The salesman at my Farm Coop recommended fescue 31 for grass in marginal soil and no sprinkling or fertilizer required. Said the highway dept uses it along the roads for durability and low effort. Warned me about livestock but that's not a factor here. Planted 25 lbs around the barn and still have a half bag left...

Soundguy · Aug 5, 2004

Does he have tall fescue or short fescue?

So far the only toxicosis problems I've seen reported are from the fungus infected tall fescue's... ( any info ont he short variety? )

Soundguy

dixiedrifter · Aug 6, 2004

Fescue toxicosis is caused by a type of fungus called an endophyte.

It can cause problems with horses, specifically pregnant mares. In cattle, it will reduce your average daily gain.

There are endophyte free varieties of fescue, as well as non-toxic endophyte. Problem is with the non-toxic stuff, its easy to get infected with the toxic from what I understand.

Fescue does have its place. Makes decent hay, and is great for stockpiling for late fall/early winter feed.

Typhoon · Aug 6, 2004

I will be posting pictures in the near future of the whole pond project. It is turning out to be a 4 acre pond (initially was going to be 3.2). Its a big project, and I have a lot of pictures. Like 4 rolls, so I will post all of them. I got some great experience along the way running a Cat D5 Dozer. I logged probably 10 hours or so on it. Alot of fun. The dam is much bigger than I expected it to look. Its 12,000 cu.yds, 27 ft from base to top. 4:1 slope on the back side for ease of mowing. We are getting ready to install the spillway pipe this next monday. It is 10" schedule 40 PVC. 100 ft long. Should be fun. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

avclay · Aug 6, 2004

I have a similar project as Typhoon. I'm expanding an existing pond since the dam blew out this spring with all the heavy rain. Most of the pond was heavily wooded and I'm currently clearing the trees (1910 does an awsome job of pulling and stuffing trees!). The next step is having my neighbor and his bulldozer get as close to "virgin" soil as possible, along with stump removal. Then we will then bring in an excavator to dig out all the sludge on the bottom of the pond and expand the size.
After all that I plan to plant grass. Since I'm thinking most of the area will be pretty dug up I can just box scrape it smooth to final grade, york rake it, and then, if money allows, go with a power rake? Any suggestions / ideas before I get too far into this? Also been thinking about combining grass seed and some sort of "biolage" or the other seed that grows stuff that deer like - good or bad idea?
I know this gets off the disk topic but the discussion seemed to be flowing pretty well. I guess I could ask if the money to rent a power rake would be better spent on a set of disks?

Soundguy · Aug 8, 2004

Yeah.. I saw all that on the various agg sites. And the reason I ask.. is.. if it is short fescue.. he may be 'set' I saw no mnetion of the short fescue with problems on any of the sites. I also sss many pasture grass seed mixtures including fescue as one of the seed mixes..

Soundguy

Birdhunter1 · Aug 8, 2004

jmc: I am a big quail hunter and fescue is not good for quail, since I know typhoon I always give him grief at the mention of fescue.

Phred · Aug 8, 2004

( It can cause problems with horses, specifically pregnant mares. In cattle, it will reduce your average daily gain. )

Yes but studies have shown that a mix of fescue and clover is not as bad as pure fescue. Very few people have very pure fescue. Most intentionally mix in some clover.

Also keep in mind that a very large number of cattle in this country eat large amounts of fescue. Would they gain better on alfalfa? Sure, but they do just fine on fescue.

If you can grow it bermuda, or timothy with a clover mix would be better. But in some places were the soil is acidic fescue is better than nothing.

Fred