See the next pasture considerations Florida beef producers should be attending to in June, concerning water and reseeding.
In our last blog, we shared the tasks Florida beef producers should be doing to get their pastures ready now that June is here, specifically soil sampling and weed control. The recommendations come from a UF/IFAS blog. See the additional recommendations for pasture considerations heading into summer, specifically water and reseeding, and a checklist, below.
Further Pasture Considerations
After conducting a soil test and starting weed control, the blog advised Florida beef producers to turn their attention to the pasture considerations of moisture and reseeding:
“Moisture Matters
The recent rains are welcome news because soil moisture plays a major role in both herbicide performance and fertilizer efficiency.
Adequate moisture helps herbicides move through actively growing weeds and allows fertilizer nutrients to move into the soil where plants can access them. During dry conditions, both weed control and fertilizer applications often produce disappointing results and lower returns on investment.”
“Planning to Reseed? Follow the Right Sequence
If you are considering adding new forage species to your pasture, timing becomes even more important.
Young seedlings need time to establish healthy root systems before they can effectively utilize fertilizer. Applying fertilizer too early may benefit existing grasses and weeds more than the new seedlings you’re trying to establish.
Strong root development improves:
• Nutrient uptake
• Drought tolerance
• Stand establishment
• Long-term pasture productivity”
Pasture Checklist
The blog contained a handy checklist to walk ranchers through the steps:
“June Pasture Checklist
☐ Pull a soil sample and submit it for testing
☐ Review soil test results and determine fertilizer and lime needs
☐ Walk your pasture and identify problem weeds
☐ Apply herbicides to actively growing weeds before they flower or set seed
☐ Wait at least two weeks after spraying before fertilizing
☐ Apply fertilizer according to soil test recommendations
☐ Evaluate thin areas and determine if reseeding is needed
☐ Monitor soil moisture and weather conditions before making applications
☐ Keep records of soil tests, herbicide applications, and fertilizer inputs
☐ Contact your local Extension office for assistance with pasture management decisions”
Griffin Fertilizer is committed to helping both growers and ranchers make sound agronomic and economic decisions in order to maximize the health of their grove and pasture. As a full-service custom dry & liquid fertilizer blender and crop protection product distributor, we will continue our mission to further advance Florida agriculture. For questions or concerns about your farm or pasture, contact us and one of our team will be in touch.