Pasture Renovation

Thanks for any input, Kenneth

Manure at 5-15 tons to acre would be OK. Disc before spreading and after, I would go over twice if not 3 times after. Most of the sup-soiler etc. make it too rutty (pumpy). Lime at about 2 ton to acre, if you can. Lime is very important . Soil test would be a good idea, but they are so so on a field, I have had better luck with a PH tester and looking at what types of weeds are growing and how they look. I would say you may need some Nitrogen to start with any way. 10 - 20 to the acre give it a shot in the arm. Reason being that manure can loose most of its Nitorgen if it was uncovered, and you need to get it to grow ASAP I'm guessing.
Not sure about your area for the grasses . Here I would plant timothy, but I would bale what was left in the summer. Clover , Maybe just plant Vernail( sp) alfalfa cost is about the same, I would not let the animals on it too much or it would be a waste of time. Plant rye maybe this fall and reseed in the spring. Put some grass with it and see if it grows. Or some other grain crop the makes good grasing .

Good Luck !!

Punchie

Soil test, you'd only need one for a 4 acre plot, would cost less than a night out.....

I've always been told that clovers & alfalfa's don't like N fertilizer for sprouting, but then I'm always told to mix the seed with the fert & spread it, so who to believe? Composted manure should be fine in any event.

What kind of livestock is on the 4 acres? Can you divide it in half, and let the new seedlings establish themselves on 2 acres at a time? I reseeded my 7 acre pasture like you are doing, but then I over-grazed that fall due to a drought. Makes it very tough to see anything from the seed, wish I had worked it out a different way...

Around here is is best if you can keep the livestock off for a year, take 2 cuttings of hay, & that will let the new seedlings establish well.

--->Paul

I put clover and bermuda seed in the cow feed so they eat them and let them scatter their own seed with no problems.

Coastal Bermuda or Bahia? I am nearly done with new home and want some green stuff but no so much I have to mow frequently. I like the compact look of Bermuda and think it would reduce maintenance.

Currently have several stands of Bahia and like the drought tolerance and also flooding tolerance but not a real thick grass for big yard area.
No grazing, just cutting. Located in N. FL.
Thanks