Fall is a busy and important time of year for pasture care. Here is a list of things you can do in the next few months to keep your pastures looking great, and give them a boost for next year.
1. Seed pasture and lawn grasses - Fall is the best time of year to see or reseed your pastures. Common grass species used are Timothy, Orchard Grass, and Smooth Brome. Turf-type lawn grasses like Kentucky bluegrass can be used for higher traffic areas and serve as a good base for your pasture.
2. Take soil samples -See if your pastures need any nutrients. Anytime from now until the ground freezes is a good time to take samples because the soils are drier and more stable. The plants have also taken up the majority of nutrients for the season. Contact your county Extension office or the University of Minnesota Soils Lab for a sample kit. The lab's phone number is (612) 625-3101.
3. Take manure samples - If you are going to fertilize your pastures with manure, sample the manure first so you know how much you should spread. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has a list of Certified Manure Testing Labs. Only spread manure on your pastures if you have more than 2 acres per horse. However, spreading additional mature (other than what the horse naturally leaves behind) on your pasture can result in greater chances of parasite exposure.
4. Fertilize - Use manure, compost, or a commercial fertilizer. As stated in 2 and 3, test your soils first, so you know how much you need. Often, only nitrogen is needed in pastures since manure provides quite a bit of phosphorus and Minnesota soils tend to be naturally higher in phosphorus and potassium.
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5. Weed control - If you want to control perennial weeds with an herbicide, now is the time. Perennial plants are storing nutrients for winter in their roots. As the nutrients go into the roots, so will the herbicide, giving the best change for a successful kill. It is best to have mowed the perennials though out the summer so they are not so mature. Herbicides usually work best on re-growth or plants that are 4 inches to 8 inches in height.
6. Check fences - Make sure your fences are in good shape before the snow flies.
7. Rest the pasture - If you have a pasture that is over-grazed, rest it for the rest of the year. This will give the grass a chance to store up nutrients for next year, so the pasture will be healthier in the spring. On average, a pasture needs 30 days of rest after two to three weeks of grazing. However, this depends on time of year, number of horses, acreage, quantity and quality of forage, and soil fertility. Generally speaking, pasturing horses over winter causes damage to plants and offers the horse no nutrition. Keeping the horses in a sacrifice paddock where they have access to hay, water and shelter is preferred.
8. Get ready to take animals off pastures during frosts - Hoof traffic after a frost can damage grasses. Have a sacrifice area set aside where the animals can be held until the grass thaws.
