reviving a pasture that hasn’t been hayed in years

[Corrupted_Stone]

Got a 24-acre pasture that hasn't been hayed in years. Customer wants it cut for hay now, but honestly I don't even know what half the grasses or weeds are. Looks like a mix... mostly grass, but with plenty of stemmy weeds in there too. What's the realistic path to getting it into better shape without going full nuclear? Spray it? Overseed? Disk and start over? I know I've got to be careful since this hay's going to livestock, so not just any chemical is an option. Can any of this prep be done over the winter, or is it strictly a spring job? Looking for advice from folks who've actually rehabbed old pastures... not theory, but what worked.

 

[cr0cszzZ]

Sounds like you have a lot of different kinds of plants in there. Start by getting a soil test done. This will tell you what nutrients are missing and what needs to be added to get the soil healthy again. You can also send a sample of the plants to your local extension office to get them identified. This is important so you know what you are dealing with.

I have had success with a winter application of certain herbicides to kill off the weeds and then overseeding in the spring. You just have to make sure you use a product that is safe for pastures. Disking and starting over is a lot of work and can lead to erosion. It is also a very expensive option, so good luck.

 

[MadameOpera]

Mow and maybe a light spray in late summer, then overseed in early spring. Full till is a lot of work unless it’s really rough

 

[Jill rhys]

Spot treat any tough weeds with livestock safe methods, and fertilize based on a soil test. Full renovation with disking is usually only needed if the field is mostly weeds