Rejuvinating Hayland

[Anonymous]

BMR-I've been told there is a spray out for that foxtail- but I've never used it so not sure how good it works- and I heard it is pricey...

What I've done to get a few more years out of a field is to soil test- then spread chemical fertilizer as the tests indicate are needed with about 5 lbs of old cheap Vernal alfalfa mixed in- preferably still on top of a little spring snow...Then when the snow goes- if you can go over it with a harrow- and even tho alfalfa puts off a natural chemical to stop other seeds from germinating- it usually gets some new growth...

But in the long run what works best is break it up- reseed to grain crop for a year or two to get the foxtail killed- and then reseed to alfalfa or alfalfa/grass mixture...

Over the years I haven't found a much better/hardier alfalfa than the plain old Vernal for dryland hayfields and pasture...I have one improved pasture that I know its been there for 25 years- and can't even remember when it was seeded....I'd love to see the root system on those alfalfa plants...

 

[Frisco]

Frisco did you used to live around Plentywood?
We are just 35 miles from Pwood.

I lived at Culbertson and then at Glasgow when I worked for the NRCS. I worked with Plentywood office alot. Great bunch. I love that area, too.

The Big Muddy Creek is unique. Good floodplain, but where the soil is saline it's the pits.

 

[per]

The chemical is called Curb that kills wild barley. It is sprayed in the late fall with 30 gallons of water and is about 30 bucks an acre. The foxtail will be back in about 3 years. Fighting with nutrients is cheaper and better agronomically. There is a several month grazing restriction as well.

 

[Big Muddy rancher]

The chemical is called Curb that kills wild barley. It is sprayed in the late fall with 30 gallons of water and is about 30 bucks an acre. The foxtail will be back in about 3 years. Fighting with nutrients is cheaper and better agronomically. There is a several month grazing restriction as well.

There is supposed to be a "NEW" product out that is cheaper but I don't know the name.

I think I had better call you some night and pick your brain.