Pasture Establishment 1344

PASTURE ESTABLISHMENT

What 

is

pasture?

The word Pasture is derived from the Latin word “pastus’’-land used for grazing.

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Pasture land in the narrow sense are enclosed tracts of farmland, grazed by domesticated livestock.

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The productivity of pasture land depends upon climate, fertility of the soil and species comprising the pasture.

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It is a series of action that lead to a long term change in balanced composition of a pasture

PASTURE ESTABLISHMENT Pasture establishment has been defined by Gram Shaw as “The sequence of seed germination and seedling development that normally permit the persistence of the introduced species into long term or the conservation of seed or other propagating materials into production or resource maintenance benefit.” The success of establishment depends on  Quality of seed.  Physical property  Germination property  Vigor of seed

Type of renovation 

Partial renovation  Rejuvenation or enhancement of existing pasture  Generally done when poor forage stands result from winter injury, drought, flooding, or other stresses

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Total renovation  Destruction followed by reestablishment of either the same species or another species

Benefits of renovation  Replaces old or diseased pasture species with healthy improved varieties  Extends or increases productivity of pasture  Improves quality of forage.  Increases animal productivity  Reduces soil erosion

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The establishment after the complete eradication of previous vegetation requires the following steps:

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Land clearing.

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Seeding or planting of desired sps.

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Maintenance of the pasture land

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Weed managment

Land Clearing 

The bushes of inedible plant type or poisonous in nature should be destroyed

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Burning is the most common and practiced method of clearing.

Seeding and planting of desired species 

Soil testing and correcting soil nutrient deficiencies.

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Selection of suitable sps adapted to specific area.

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When establishing or renovating a pasture, it is important to match forage species to the site, soil type, and type of operation (grazing or hay, animal species and class).

Common pasture species         

Perennial ryegrass ( lolium perenne) Italian ryegrass ( lolium multiflorum) Hybrid ryegrass ( lolium hybridium) Tall fescue ( Festuca arundinacea) Cocksfoot ( Dactylis glomerata) Phalaris ( phalaris aquatica) Browntop ( Agrostis capilaris) Yorkshire fog ( holcus lanatus) White and red clover (legumes)

Seeding guidelines Inoculation of legumes All legumes should be inoculated with the proper strains of N-fixing bacteria prior to seeding  Ensures that proper bacteria will be present for nitrogen fixation 

For Successful establishment of pasture Three major aspects should be concerned

A.

Phases of establishment

B.

Time of broadcasting

C.

Pest and diseases

Forage establishment Seeding methods  Broadcast  Cultipacker  Drilled  No-Till  Frost seeding  Companion crop

Planting time 

Cool-season grasses are established in late summer or early fall (August to Nov).

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Warm-season grasses should be planted in late spring to early summer after the soil has reached a temperature of 65°F or above.

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Usually spring seeding has plenty of moisture for seed germination, but there is an increase in weed pressure.

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Spring seeding should be made at least four weeks after the last frost killing. Late summer seeding is recommended for wet areas, since the soil is usually dry enough during the summer with less weed pressure.

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Weed management 

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It is important to control weeds during establishment since newly emerged forage seedlings are extremely susceptible to weed competition. Weeds compete for water, nutrients, and sunlight. Broadleaf weed control can be accomplished but may take more than one application and may need to be applied at different times of the year. This approach will better control weeds that germinate during different seasons.

Factors to consider prior to establishment or renovation

Factors to consider Pasture inventory  Land

available  Climate  Soil characteristics

Forage use  Livestock  Grazing

vs. hay production  Continuous grazing vs. rotational grazing

Pasture inventory Land available 

Grazing land  Water source(s)  “Sacrifice” Area

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Hay production

PASTURE INVENTORY Climate    

Growing season Frost-free daysGrowing degree days (GDD) Temperature Precipitation

PASTURE INVENTORY Soil characteristics 

Drainage

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Water holding capacity (droughtiness)

Disadvantages of Pasture 

Some weeds, grasses, and legumes contain toxic compounds: 

Weed examples:  Jimsonweed, yellow star thistle,

pokeweed 

Grass examples:  Tall fescue

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Legume examples:  Aslike clover, red clover

Disadvantages of Pasture 

Spread of gastrointestinal parasites Infective stage of parasites shed in feces  Optimal conditions for larval development  High stocking rates  increased risk of infection 

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Manure management, appropriate stocking density, and deworming important for horse health on pasture

Pasture in Nepal 

Since 1940, over 162 species and 371 cultivars of grasses and legume species have been introduced in Nepal.(Pande, 1993)

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Due to lack of proper doumentations and reporting, the performance of all introduced species/cultivars could not be recorded.

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Total Number of Introduced species/cultivars in Nepal a) Species 67 98 7 172 b) Cultivars 188 174 9 371 

Break down by:  Annual species 12 50 7 69 Perennial species 55 48 - 103 Subtropical species 52 86 7 145 Temperate species 15 12 - 27

THE END