Pasture to Hay Production

[Danner]

I have about 4 ac. of pasture that has been uncultivated for many years. This is North Texas, and it's flat, black clay soil. I would like to cultivate it to produce Bermuda hay, or at least make it a lawn/grazing area devoid of weeds or other obnoxious plants. There are no horses on it right now.

For the last two seasons, I have kept it mowed to about 3.5", which as done a lot of good to get rid of wild onion, and most of the broadleaf stuff. But there is still a lot of dry climate Texas "weeds" out there.

This is not irrigated.

My plan is to do what I can this winter and next spring to kill off the non-Bermuda plants, and then seed it with some species of Bermuda, not sure which one yet.

My tools are a SCUT (BX2660) with 48" Howse disc, a chain harrow, and a Herd 3-Point Seeder/Spreader.

Could you please give me some step-by-step ideas, and products? I was thinking I need to use chemicals to kill off the bad stuff, cultivate, seed, and fertilize, but I don't know much more that that. What time of year to do what? Products that work, etc.

Thank you for whatever advice you might have,

Danner


BTW, here is a picture from a couple years ago, the are is that land behind the pipe fence.

 

[swines]

Texas has the A&M AgriLife Extension Service. If you go to their website you can put in questions under "Resources" and then "Ask an Expert." Put in "weeds" and then "weed control" and you'll come up with a lot of resource material. If you're still not satisfied - call them.

The best thing you can do is take photos of a 3x3 foot area in several places to show the type of plants that will be found throughout the site. You can send them the photos and they will make suggestions as to how best to control the weeds. They can also help with the best type of grass for your location.

If you want to do weed control without using chemicals, then use something like Dynaweed in the spring and fall and it will help control seed germination. Unfortunately, if you use Dynaweed and then seed - it will also stop the grass seed from germinating.

I've used Dynaweed to fairly good effect on a small piece of property that I have. If you have animals on it, Dynaweed will not be toxic to them as it is made from corn gluten.

 

[Danner]

Thanks Swines, I will definitely check that out.

 

[sweettractors]

I have about 4 ac. of pasture that has been uncultivated for many years. This is North Texas, and it's flat, black clay soil. I would like to cultivate it to produce Bermuda hay, or at least make it a lawn/grazing area devoid of weeds or other obnoxious plants. There are no horses on it right now.

For the last two seasons, I have kept it mowed to about 3.5", which as done a lot of good to get rid of wild onion, and most of the broadleaf stuff. But there is still a lot of dry climate Texas "weeds" out there.

This is not irrigated.

My plan is to do what I can this winter and next spring to kill off the non-Bermuda plants, and then seed it with some species of Bermuda, not sure which one yet.

My tools are a SCUT (BX2660) with 48" Howse disc, a chain harrow, and a Herd 3-Point Seeder/Spreader.

Could you please give me some step-by-step ideas, and products? I was thinking I need to use chemicals to kill off the bad stuff, cultivate, seed, and fertilize, but I don't know much more that that. What time of year to do what? Products that work, etc.

Thank you for whatever advice you might have,

Danner


BTW, here is a picture from a couple years ago, the are is that land behind the pipe fence.

Your best information resources are the retired farmers that live in your area or your seed supply store. Ken Sweet