pasture improvement advice

3 posts
Wed, 05/11/2016 - 12:13 #1

Member for

8 years 6 months
microfarm
Last seen: 03/08/2018 - 21:05
Joined: 05/11/2016 - 12:02

pasture improvement advice

Hi Farmstyle,

I just signed up and would like some pasture advice. I have purchased 10 acres at Little Hartley and we are due to move up there in the next couple of weeks. As we are moving in right on Winter (BRRRR) I thought I might be able to get a start on pasture improvement during the winter when not much else will be going on. I know I will need a soil analyis but I'm pretty sure it will come out sandy clay. I have been told by a horticulturalist that lives up the road from me to 'apply gypsum and organic matter organic matter and more organic matter. I have about 3 acres that are relatively flat and ready to improve. What to you think about bying spoilt round bales of local pasture hay (fescue, millet, rhodes and kangaroo) and mulching the paddock after applying gypsum. Early spring sowing lucern and plowing the whole lot in before sowing local pasture mix. I was going to irrigate the lucern with K lines.

Thanks

Gabrielle O'Connor

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Wed, 05/11/2016 - 20:35 #2
barb
Last seen: 09/17/2019 - 18:07
Joined: 11/23/2011 - 09:38

Hi Gabrielle and welcome,

 

Little Hartley is a very cool area in winter, which I believe sometimes has snow in winter. The plan you have laid out, Sounds like a good one.

 

I have a few thoughts  to add. I would wait until the soil analysis comes back before beginning your plans though. You may need to spread some natural lime (clay soil can be acid) and/or rock phosphate as well as your gypsum. If considering using Super Phosphate, it would be best I believe to use single super as double can bind certain nutrients in the soil.

 

 If you have spring rains in the area, it wouldn't hurt to prepare the soil and sow the seed before they are due- it's rather hard to work muddy soil especially if it is clayey. I always use coated seed which stops the ants pinching the seed and it also has fertiliser in the coating. coated seed also has a much better germination rate, even though it is a little more expensive.  In Queensland where I am, it is usually dry in winter, so there is no problem preparing the soil for sowing, so the paddock can be plowed and sown in anticipation of the rains which normally come in mid to late spring.

 

If you are growing lucerne, why not cut and bail it and let it reshoot before plowing it in. Lucerne hay is worth good money and you could make a bit of cash from it. Just a thought, It's what I would do anyway.

 

Good luck and we would all like to know how you go with your new project.

 

Cheers,

Barb

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Sun, 05/15/2016 - 10:14 #3
Wynarling
Last seen: 03/08/2018 - 21:05
Joined: 05/31/2015 - 10:27
Hello, Spreading hay in your paddocks has many benefits, however it has the potential to introduce weeds that are not already on your property. I imagine most sellers would profess their hay to be weed free, I have been stung before. Weed control can be very costly and time consuming, so an analysis of what is on your property and a program to control weeds is very important. Your local farm supply shop will be very helpful, they may have an agronomist on staff who can help with planning as well as advise on suitable pasture species for your situation. All the best. Angie
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