I have some dry pasture that has a brocston loam well drained soil and need to figure out what to plant on it. It used to be alfalfa ground but that drought has made it not worth messing with. i live in Utah at about 6400 feet. I want to find a plant that will grow well in this soil and cold environment with the least amount of moisture. I am considering these plants crested wheat, sainfoin, blue bunch wheat grass and teff grass. Are there any others i should consider? Do i need to do soil tests? Which will give me the most feed per acre?
I'm not familiar with most of those grasses you list....we don't have any of those in the east.....but I am familiar with teff. You do not want teff for a cold climate.....it is a summer annual that thrives on heat. It is dead with the first frost.
Welcome to haytalk banditman.....edit your profile to include your state so members may give you advice based on your geographical location, it'll make it easier in the future...again welcome to haytalk...
My first question is are you feeding it if so to what if not and selling I would contact buyers in your area/state to find what they are looking for. County extension office will have good info for your area...someone in your area may chime in shortly. Welcome to Haytalk. Martin
I hay at 9100 feet and my dryland fields are Wheatgrass which does pretty well if the soil is prepared to get a stand established. I run a 5 shank ripper 10 to 12 inches deep over the area and then disk the field 4-5 inches deep.
I've found that the higher the altitude--- the less N and P in the soil. I would suggest you have a soil test done on your ground. If you go with Wheatgrass, you'll find its a real pig for nitrogen if you expect any kind of yield at cutting.
Down at 6400 feet, I would think you could raise brome and fescue too if the soil didn't have much clay in it.
It's the busy time of year for a lot now. Also not a lot in your particular sub climate I would think,
Do you have any kind of extension office in your area you could ask?
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