Deciding whether to rejuvenate or not
The first step in deciding whether to rejuvenate a forage stand is comparing the potential productivity with the current status of the pasture or hayfield. This will help determine if, and what, improvements or management changes are needed.
A stand assessment starts with evaluation of the current plant population. What desirable plant species are present as compared to undesirable plants? Are there invasive species? Poisonous plants? Are there large areas of bare ground and evidence of erosion?
Conducting a pasture or range health assessment is an important first step to identify best options for rejuvenation.
Conduct an honest evaluation of the current forage management system being applied to the area in question. All past management decisions play a part in determining the current condition of the forage stand.
Evaluating Your Management System
• When does grazing occur?
• What stocking rate is applied?
• Frequency and level of utilization?
• Are rest periods provided and are they long enough?
• What is the timing and frequency of hay cuts?
• Soil parameters including type, texture and any limitations such as salinity (soil containing soluble salts in quantities that interfere with plant growth) or solonetzic soils (high in sodium with a hardpan layer in the subsoil which is very hard when dry and low permeability when wet) influence forage production. These variables must be factored in when considering a rejuvenation option.
By collecting and submitting a soil sample to a lab, you will identify whether key nutrients are lacking and whether fertility is a limiting factor for optimizing productivity. Although largely out of a land manager’s control, soil moisture is the most important variable when rejuvenating a forage stand. Moisture status of a pasture or hayfield from the previous growing season as well as forecasted precipitation must factor into the choice of timing and method of rejuvenation. With adequate soil moisture, particularly under irrigation or in high rainfall areas, rejuvenation options become less risky and more cost effective.