lllanagetnent a
Pasture on
LimitedBudget
By Karen Bell
taken. Typically, the cost is less than
f / eeping horse Pasturesin
$10 per test. In Virginia and
flff'#Ji:THl
,lS.:*:1.
grain as well as Provide a healthY
Maryland, it can take uP to 10 daYs
to receive results through the exten-
sion services, although independent
and more natural environment for
labs with quicker turnaround times
performance and Pleasure horses.
are available. Low (acidic) soil pH
However, pasture renovation takes
is correctedwith lime, and nitrogen,
time and commitment and requires
phosphorus,and potassiumdeficien-
up to as much as 2-Yearsadvance
cies are correctedwith the use of the
planning. The amount of moneY
appropriatefertilizers.
needed for imProvement will
According to the MarYland
depend on the current state of the
Cooperative Extension Service, if
existing pasture.The first stepin the
no-till seeding is the Preferred
processis to send soil samPlesto
method for your fields, lime and fer-
the local county extension agent to
tilizers can take tP to 6-24 months
determine which nutrients maY be
to mix with the soil and correct PH
rate-limiting in the soil. Soil sample
or nutrient deficiencies. Because
kits are sent out bY the extension
seedlings require Proper PH and
service and will specify how to cor-
nutrients in the soil for growth,
rectly sample soil in the pastureand
seeding without proper fertilization
to what depth the samPlesmust be
Tmx
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IISTntrn . *xlffis,tr- fr&X*lFl#T
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Battlefield
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Gordon Shelton VA
SHnrroN 52-2720
540-7
SpotsYlvania,
4
52-477
Fax: 540-1
go
For information to:
HfiY E STRf,Wfivqilqble
. BUY.SELL-TRADE
www.battlef ieldhsa.com
TRACTORS
Much more not listed! or call Gegi Winslettat
VA
Rt.17 & Rt.691- Harnuood, 540-825-2825or 540'972'1342
Email:storckroad691@aol.com
www.sheltonfarm.com BHSA and VHSA Associate Show
www.hor setalkmagazine.com Horse Talk
Page 16
can result in seedling failure and poor horse property owners. He says that in
quality stands. With fertilizer prices most cases, fields can be reseeded after
increasing due to rising fuel and pro- fertilization without needing to be tilled
duction costs (up to $200 per acre), they because tilling will disrupt already
recommend that property owners on established sods.Tilling is only neces-
tight budgets first lime and ferlilize the sary if owners want to completely avoid
acres that are the most productive and using inorganic fertilizers and herbi- Farm
staggerthe renovation over a period of cides or in the case of recently cleared
years, doing the least productive fields fields. He also recommendsthat prior to Boarding,
Training,
last. They also recommend horse prop- doing any development to resftucture Sales,and Shows
erty buyers know the soil characteris- property for horses,owners first contact Full care board offeredat $350/month.
tics and examine the potential site for their county extension agenciesand ask Training board$550/month.Lessons
problems such as shallow soils, poor for help from the very beginning. and trainingavailable.Call or check
drainage, and steep slopes,all of which Seed mixtures containinglegumes out our websitefor more details.
can limit the usefulnessof the property and grassesare usually recommended
for horse pasture. According to Eric for horse pastures. theexactmixlure
but
Bowen, the Agriculture and Natural will depend on your soil and climate Pleasure Series
Resources Extension Agent for characteristics and should be discussed Sept.28. Oct.19. Nov.2
Powhatan and Goochland counties in with your extension specialist.
Virginia, soil surveys have been com- According to the Maryland Cooperative
pleted for all areasin Virginia and can Extension Service, high percentage Open Shows
help buyers and real estateagentsdeter- (40-50 percent) legume (e.g., alfalfa, Start6:30pm
CasualAttire,
mine whether the site will work for a clover, lespedezas) mixtures are highly July 8, 22, Aug5, 19
given buyer. Bowen is one of many nutritious and decrease the need for VA
9510 RobertE. Lee Dr. Spotsylvania,
agricultural extension specialists nitrogen fertilizers in future years. For
throughout Virginia and Maryland who 540-972-0966
provides free on-site consultations to Continued on page 18 www.si Iine.
lverstarlarmon com
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Horse Thlk www.h or setalkmag azin e.com Page 17
water resources. Likewise, under- keep the forage from overgrowing, and
Pasture Management on a Limited grazed pastures contribute to 1ow cattle should be rotated or allowed to
Budget............Continued pageI 7
from graze alongside of horsesto eat the sur-
palatability and decreased nutritional
content. According to Agent Bowen, plus and any mowed forage. If under-
people on a tight budget, Derrick
complete renovation can cost upwards grazing is an issue and no cattle are
Bender, Allegany Maryland Extension
of $500/acre, so good pasture manage- available, mowing at l0-dayintervals
Educator, suggestsyou "keep legumes
inent is the key to keeping costs down. will control the growth and spread of
in your mix and reduce the need for
"The ultimate goal is to get a good weeds,but the mowed forage will accu-
nitrogen." If the percentageof legumes
stand of grass in these fields; well- mulate, become moldy, and contribute
drops to less than 25percent,he recom-
mends that nitrogen ferttlizet be added established pasture sods will outcom- to grazingand pasturegrowth problems
peteweeds,"saysBowen, who believes unless the cut forage is removed from
or the pasturereseededwith legumes in
late winter. Reseeding is best done in herbicides may not be necessaryin all the fields. Becauseof possible damage
cases. "Weed introduction occurs to the sod, horses should be kept off of
late February to mid-APri1 or late
becausesods are damaged.Every time pasture during drought or rainy condi-
August to late SePtember; the exact
that happens, it is a weed-introduction tions. Once intact stands are estab-
time to reseedwill depend on the local
point," Bowen exPlains. Rotational lished, liming and fertilizing should be
climate. Horse pasture mixtures can be
bought at local feed storesand coopera- grazing. proper manure maintenance. done, usually in the fall, in accordance
and mowing under-grazed areas will with the soil test acquired the year
tives like Southern States, where con-
help keep sods intact and weeds to a before. According to extension agents,
sultants are available to help customers
minimum. Managers should aTlow2-4 retesting soil should be done evety 2-3
develop pasturemanagementprograms.
acres per horse in Virginia and years.Usefulpasture management pub-
Keeping the Pasture healthY after
Maryland to prevent overgrazing and lications from Virginia and Maryland's
reseeding requires controlled grazrng
trampling damage. Separating water, Cooperative Extension Web sites are
management. "The biggest problem I
salt, and shadein a pasturewill discour- available at www.ext.vt.edu/resources/
see is overstocking," says Educator
age horses from congregating in one and www.extension.umd.edu/publica-
Bender. Over-grazedpasturesand over-
spot, thereby protecting the sod. In tions/, respectively.
crowding can damage pasture forage'
increase weed production and soil ero- spring, during heavY growth, more
sion, and pollute surrounding fresh horses per acre may be necessary to
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Page 18