Mowing plays a large role in maintaining a healthy pasture. Here, we answer a few questions for better forage production.
Should I mow my pasture? Yes. Mowing suppresses weeds, improves forage quality, and reduces grazing patterns. Ideally, mowing should occur each time you rotate the herd to a new field. If you don’t practice pasture rotation, then mowing three times during the growing season is recommended.
How short should I mow the grass? Cool-weather grasses, like Bermuda and Tall Fescue, can be trimmed to 3″- 5″. Warm weather grasses, like Indian Grass, should be cut to 8″ – 10″.
When’s the best time to reseed a pasture? It depends on what you’re planting. The University of Missouri Extension offers the following guidelines:
1. Spring: March 5-April 5 (filling in thin fields: cool-season annual grasses/legumes)
2. Late Spring: April 15 – May 15 (warm-season grasses)
3. Fall: September (cool-season perennial grass or alfalfa)
4. Winter Frost Seeding: February (clover and lespedezafit)