Management of Pastures is important to achieve maximum production, improve nutritive quality and match animal nutrient needs with the available forage. While most crop plants are grown for their fruit or seed, it is the leaves of the pasture plants that are removed, continually, and this occurs throughout the grazing season. This places great stress on the plants.

Below are five steps that will assure a healthy pasture.

1. Soil Test
2. Fertilization
3. Soil Ph
4. Weed Control
5. Seeding or Over seeding

If a soil analysis is not available from the last two to three years one should be taken as soon as possible. To assure good sampling techniques, select a reputable testing laboratory and carefully follow sampling, handling and shipping instructions. This procedure will assure the most reliable results. The Mill would be happy to provide this service.

Step 1: Soil Test:
Supply proper recommendations to your soil at the appropriate time. You will increase the crop yield and decrease the weed pressure
Maintain the proper Ph (soil test )
Rotational Grazing: Overgrazing can result in thin stands that become perfect seedbeds for unwanted plants.
Mowing: Mowing pastures will prevent weeds from going to seed and will promote thicker turf that will in turn smother the unwanted plants in the pasture.
Over Seed: If pastures are thin, plant new grasses or forages to increase the density.

Step 2: Fertilization
In forage production, Nitrogen (N), Phosphorous (P) and Potassium (K) are the key nutrients that are utilized by the plants. Each of these nutrients are needed in large quantities so deficiencies are most common. A maintenance dose of these key elements, spring, summer and fall will help correct any deficiencies and maintain any nutrient loss due to hay production, grazing or leaching in the soil. By supplying the proper recommendations to your soil at the appropriate time, you will increase the crop yield and decrease the weed pressure.
A soil test followed by lime and fertilizer recommendations is important to achieve good forage production and maintain forage stands. There is no other management practice that will have more long term influence on production per acre.

The majority of land producing forage in this region is not regularly soil tested. Most of the land that is tested is found to be in need of lime and/or fertilizer. Knowing this, most of our pasture and hay ground still do not receive annual fertilizer applications. By not following a lime and fertilizer program growers are missing a great opportunity to increase profits.

Step 3: Soil Ph
Soil Ph is critical when establishing and maintaining a pasture. The Ph of your soil is diagnosed in the soil analysis. Pastures having a low Ph should have lime applied when possible. Nutrients can become tied up in the soil and the plant is unable to utilize them when Ph levels are low. Lime helps make these nutrients available to the plant.

Step 4: Weed Control
Even a healthy pasture will suffer from an occasional weed invasion, remembering that a weed is any unwanted plant in your pasture. Most agree that weeds are plants that posses undesirable traits such as:

1. Prolific seed producers
2. Poisonous to livestock
3. Unpalatable
4. Low Productivity
5. Controlling Weeds without Chemicals

Controlling Weeds with Chemicals
Herbicides will not be effective or economical if the non-chemical controls are not established. Chemical control is quick and safe when applied properly.
There are a number of questions to be answered before herbicide can be applied.

1. Pasture Development (stage of growth)
2. Species of Weeds
3. Species of pasture
4. Grazing Intervals

After evaluating the pasture, the proper herbicide can be selected to assure satisfaction and safety. Chemical weed control will not prevent future weeds from germinating. Post Emergence applications only kill what is sprayed. Weed seeds can stay in the soil for years, waiting for the perfect opportunity to emerge. With this in mind future herbicide applications may be necessary. Serious weed problems in a pasture are a good indication that renovation may be necessary.

Step 5: Seeding or Overseeding
Fall is the best time to establish or renovate your pastures. It is important to select the correct forage or mix of forages to suit your needs. Do not graze until stand is established.
Fall seeding gives the plants a chance to grow until winter dormancy. Once spring arrives your pasture is on its way to establishment. During this period, livestock should be kept elsewhere until the new pasture is mowed at least one or two times.

Pastures with poor stands of forage are more susceptible to erosion, livestock damage or weed invasion. A thick healthy pasture is pleasing to the eye and allows livestock to utilize the forage to its fullest potential.