Making the Best of a Thin Situation

Mar 15, 2023

By Aaron Saeugling

The dry conditions in parts of the state in 2022 put extra stress on pastures. Consequently, some pastures may have been grazed shorter than cattlemen would have liked. Additionally, nitrogen prices continue to rise as well as all costs associated with pasture management. As we head into the 2023 growing season, here are some considerations to help improve over-grazed and thin pastures, boost forage production, and help to manage pasture management costs.

For pasture stands that are on the thinner side, frost seeding or interseeding this spring can help to thicken stands up and be a longer-term solution to increase productivity. Now, not every pasture is ready for frost seeding or interseeding as its important to consider things like previous herbicide use, soil fertility and soil pH. Taking the time to properly plan and prepare will help with the success, and this ICM Blog “Still Time to Start Prepping for Pasture Renovations in 2021” addresses in more detail what should be done prior to any frost seeding or interseeding.

Early March can be a great time for frost seeding, whereas if you are planning on interseeding, that is typically done sometime between mid-March and early May. Read more on frost seeding and interseeding in the ICM Blog “Frost Seeding and Interseeding Considerations for Pastures This Spring.”

Frost seeding or interseeding with a legume can not only help to thicken up a pasture stand, but can also help lessen the amount of nitrogen that needs to be applied to the pasture. Nitrogen fixing legumes should include alfalfa, birdsfoot trefoil, and clover species. Keep in mind with legumes in a pasture, a soil pH above six is best and for alfalfa a soil pH of 6.9.

When it comes to seeding, it is important to consider seed placement and a drill is the preferred method for most legumes to provide good seed to soil contact. If broadcasting, try rolling or frost seed prior to a snow event to help the seed stick to the soil surface. After frost seeding or interseeding, monitor spring green up and do not allow competitive grass species to grow over 4 inches and shade out legumes as the legumes are getting established. Once the legumes catch up in size to the grass, then we can allow more grazing. After last season this year may be a good time to consider interseeding legumes on those overgrazed fall pastures this spring.

Source : iastate.edu

Video: Our Own On-Farm Research Is the Best Source - Managing White Mold in Northeast Nebraska

If you assumed Nebraska was too hot and dry for white mold to be a problem in soybeans, think again.

This week we're featuring Galen Samuelson, a farmer and dealer from Wakefield, Nebraska, who knows all too well how devastating white mold can be.

"We don't have it consistently every year, but with our temperature and humidity, it can hurt us quite bad," Samuelson says. Looking for alternatives, he explains, "What I like about Heads Up is that it's non-harmful to the beneficial fungal colonies in the soil." Galen has been using Heads Up for several years now, after first hearing about it through a small ad in a regional newspaper. Watch below to hear about his journey.

When asked to write about Samuelson Seed, Galen said the following:

"Samuelson Seed is a 4th-generation, family-based company. It started with my grandfather, and I'm now starting to pass the torch to my son, Caleb."

"In the early 1990s, I started working with a company whose focus was on plant and soil health before those benefits were widely known. I've continued to keep plant and soil health the main focus in our farming operation decisions."