Planting Pastures and Hay Fields (Minnesota)

[Goldun Acres]

When is the best time to plant pasture and hay fields? What is the best pasture mix? Best hay mix?

I was thinking 25% brome, 25% timothy, 25% orchard, 25% alfalfa - but I know nothing about this stuff. I DO NOT want anything with fescue..just want the peace of mind because all I have is mares and I do plan on having foals.

I'm in MN, so that needs to be kept in mind. The land has a corn crop in it right now(won't come out till October). I'm going to have the farmer disc and level it all whether I can get a pasture crop in this year or not. The land over there is suppose to be some of the best in MN(no, the seller didn't say it - everyone else has).

Any help is appreciated!

[beth55051]

I'm not sure where exactly you are in S. MN but I know my neighbor has quit overseeding with alfalfa every year because it just got to expensive. It tends to freeze out up here if we don't get enough snow.

I'd personally go with a good brome/orchard mix, maybe throw some timothy in there?

Talk to your local seed rep, they'll be able to tell you the best time and mix.

[horsemom4]

Originally Posted by Goldun Acres

When is the best time to plant pasture and hay fields? What is the best pasture mix? Best hay mix?

I was thinking 25% brome, 25% timothy, 25% orchard, 25% alfalfa - but I know nothing about this stuff. I DO NOT want anything with fescue..just want the peace of mind because all I have is mares and I do plan on having foals.

I'm in MN, so that needs to be kept in mind. The land has a corn crop in it right now(won't come out till October). I'm going to have the farmer disc and level it all whether I can get a pasture crop in this year or not. The land over there is suppose to be some of the best in MN(no, the seller didn't say it - everyone else has).

Any help is appreciated!

I am also in Southern Minnesota and planning on planting some hay ground and reseeding my miserable pastures. I have heard that canary grass is also good in a pasture mix....???

[pvf]

usually the best time is in the spring but you have to leave it for a year so that the plants have a good root system. You can plant alfalfa with the grass but after a couple years the grass will take over. But if you only plant grass you might not always get a good second crop and you will need to buy fertizler ever year also.

Talk to you local ag store they can help you out.

[Goldun Acres]

Where abouts are you Horsemom?

I will contact my local seed house - he was helpful last time I planted...Just thought I'd see if you guys had any tips!!

Thanks again ya'll!

[pippy]

Yeah, they say the land here in Nicollet County MN is some of the best to...I think they say that everywhere LOL
We planted on a previous crop field( a couple years ago now)-one thing we noticed- after the crops come out, be sure to fertilize in the fall, your field will do better...the corn really depletes soil of the good stuff needs to grow. The areas we fertilized are doing way better then that not.
We went to our Co-op and bought a pasture mix for horses...it did contain a small percent of fescue- I did not want fescue either- but I found most all mixes in my area had a little (5%).
We planted ours in the spring, w/ oats as a shade crop using a seed drill..that worked real well. Then, because it was dry, the grass was coming up sparse, so we kept throwing more seed out but by hand. Then that fall, fertilized again...we were told that first fall after harvesting oats, after the first freeze, throw down more seed and it will germinate in the spring..but if you do it to soon, and it starts to grow and freezes at first frost, it will kill it.
It has taken us two years to go from corn fields to what we have now.....after all that time and work, we can finally let the horses out on it- after we bale it ..LOL ..I will try to post a photo one of these days...

[Goldun Acres]

Down the road is potato, onion, carrot, etc, and sod farms - hence the reason for believing the soil is of good quality.

October is going to be too late to plant in the fall then....Since we get spontanious freezes and warm ups through Oct....

[pippy]

Best wishes that it all turns out wonderfully

[Crookedblaze]

I'd go to Home Depot. They helped us with our pasture. Or talk to a grass specialist.

[horsemom4]

Originally Posted by Goldun Acres

Where abouts are you Horsemom?

I will contact my local seed house - he was helpful last time I planted...Just thought I'd see if you guys had any tips!!

Thanks again ya'll!

Faribault

[Goldun Acres]

Originally Posted by horsemom4

Faribault

I am in Northfield on occasion. My aunt built a GORGEOUS log house on French Lake....Right now we're in Dodge Center, but we'll be moving down to Hollandale sometime in September!