Prairie's Edge - Pasture Renovation

Pasture Perfect is the brand of choice when it comes to planting a productive pasture.

Reasons to Renovate:

Increase Pasture Production
Improve Animal Performance
Replace Toxic Grasses
Plant Improved Forage Varieties
Utilize Forages that Extend the Grazing Period
Kill Existing Undesirable Weeds and Grasses
Become More Profitable!

In 1997, Ampac Seed Company launched its popular Pasture Perfect line-up of improved forage mixes and blends. They began testing mixes and blends in university grazing and hay trials to see how the products would perform over a three to five year time period. Mixes were also planted in muliple on-farm trilas with co-operative producers having university extension oversight. The goal was simple: to have data on mixes producers were planting and also to test mixes with new varieties to see how yields, palatability, grazing tolerance, persistence, and most of all, profitability could be improved. New varieties are constantly researched to find those that will enhance the producer's profitability with the Pasture Perfect line-up. Consult the chart below to determine the mix that is right for you.

Champion Pasture Mix

40% Tekapo Orchardgrass
25% Tonga Tetraploid Perennial Ryegrass
25% Duo Festulolium
5% Kootenal Timothy
5% Park Kentucky Bluegrass

Champion Pasture Mix is formulated with grass varieties selected for horses and all productions animals. It is a mix of highly palatable varieties that make super quality forage. Champion Pasture Mix can also be use for hay. Seed at 35-50 lbs/acre.

Superior Forage Mix

30% Proprietary Alfalfa
15% StarFire Red Clover
15% Bronson Tall Fescue
15% Tekapo Orchardgrass
15% Duo Festulolium
5% Kootenal Timothy
5% Kopu II White Clover

Superior Forage is a mix of highly productive alfalfa, clovers, and grasses that make high quality forage. Superior Forage can be used for hay silage, dry hay, and managed intensive grazing. Seed at 35-50 lbs/acre.

Midwestern Grazer Mix

50% Tekapo Orchardgrass
25% Duo Festulolium
15% Quartet Tetraploid Perennial Ryegrass
7% StarFire Red Clover
3% Kopu II White Clover

Midwestern Grazer is intended for using with managed intensive grazing practices. This is a mix of highly palatable grasses and legumes that make high quality forage for making milk or meat. Midwestern Grazer is also a great hay mix. Seed at 30-40 lbs/acre.

Renovator Special Mix

50% Duo Festulolium
25% Fest II Italian Ryegrass
25% Tonga Tetraploid Perennial Ryegrass

Renovator Special is specially designed for renovation existing pastures. It is also used for improving weak alfalfa stands. Seed at 35-50 lbs/acre.

CCR Mix

40% Feast II Short Rotation Ryegrass
25% Oasis Chicory
25% StarFire II Red Clover
10% Kopu II White Clover

CCR Mix is formulated for managed intensive grazing and to provide improved animal production. Seed at 25 lbs/acre.

MIG - Ryegrass Grazer Mix

35% Duo Festulolium
25% Quartet Tetraploid Perennial Ryegrass
30% Tonga Tetraploid Perennial Ryegrass

MIG - Ryegrass is formulated for managed intensive grazing. Seed at 35-45 lbs/acre.

MIG - Clover Mix

70% StarFire Red Clover
30% Kopu II White Clover

MIG - Clover Mix is a mixture of outstanding clovers formulated at just the right percentage to give the best benefit for production livestock managers. Seed at 5-8 lbs/acre.

Establishing a Perfect Pasture

A perfect pasture begins with good soil preparation. The first step is to obtain an accurate soil sample, and improve your soil conditions accordingly. Prairie's Edge can assist you with soil sampling and fertilization recommendations. Using a starter fertilizer is helpful for getting a uniform stand.

The next step is to prepare the proper seedbed. If possible, use a Brillion-type seeder. When renovating a pasture, use a no-till drill to sow the seed, and if needed, use a non-selective herbicide to reduce competition. Ideal seeding depth is 1/4" - 3/8" deep. Adequate soil-to-seed contact can be ensured by rolling/packing the soil.

Finally, all seed needs moisture to become well established. Irrigate if necessary, and plant during the spring or late summer. Frost seeding can be accomplished with some mixes/species by broadcasting seed during late winter months.

Allow plants to be well established before heavy grazing or set stocking. Allow the plants to grow 8-12" before clipping or lightly grazing down to 3-4" tall. Utilize grazing and clipping to help control weeds. Use chemicals for weed control if necessary. Always follow label directions.

Maintaining a Perfect Pasture

To maintain a Perfect Pasture several management keys must be followed. Rotational grazing is vital to maintaining a healthy pasture. Turn animals into a pasture when it is 8-10" tall and graze it down to 4", then move the animals into another paddock. Clipping the pastures to keep them vegetative will provide more feed for the livestock, and cause less wastage. Fertilizing 3-4 times per year in smaller increments with the proper fertilizer will keep the plants healthy and provide better season-long grazing. Lasly, good weed control will help keep the whole pasture productive and safer for the animal diet.

Mixes & Blends:
Champion Horse Mix
Superior Forage Mix
Midwestern Grazer Mix
Renovator Special Mix