Pasture Rejuvenation via Overseeding
Pasture or hay field getting thin or suffered winter kill? It is possible to return these fields to full yield potential by overseeding to increase the plant density. The biggest factor impacting success in pasture overseeding is seeding method.
We want to achieve the best seed to soil contact.
The best method is to use equipment that can place the seed directly into the ground; even a regular seed drill with double coulters will clear the surface residue so the seeds are dropped directly at the ground level followed by closing wheels to close the seed slot.
Broadcasting the seed is quick and inexpensive, but has a lower success rate. If you can see bare soil, then the seeds have a chance of reaching soil, but if it’s old pasture sod covered with grasses and you don’t think the seed will reach the ground, then it’s best to no-till. So, consider increasing seeding rates in this scenario, whether it’s broadcast with a small ATV spreader or blended with fertilizer.
Frost seeding very early in the spring on frozen ground can increase the chances of success, as the freeze-thaw cycles can pull seed into the ground. Smaller dense seeds such as legumes and timothy offer the best chance of success over coarser seeds such as ryegrass, fescue and brome.
Alfalfa has autotoxicity which will prevent new alfalfa seedlings from growing, so do not overseed alfalfa into a stand with established alfalfa. Consider other legumes such as red clover, trefoil and white clover or grasses depending on the livestock being grazed or fed.
Lastly, seeding equipment can impact species choice. If you don’t have equipment available to handle coarse seed, it could rule out those species.
Other considerations for pasture: harvest the first cut for hay or haylage to prevent seedling competition from established plants and having the seedlings pulled out by grazing animals.
Contact one of our forage experts for a recommendtaion for your operation whether it be Italian ryegrass for overseeding an alfalfa stand for haylage for dairy rations or a pasture overseeding mix with pure grasses for your horse pasture.
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