Pasture Improvement: Using Livestock to Renovate Pastures

Pub 19: Pasture Production > Chapter 3: Pasture Improvement > Using Livestock to Renovate Pastures

 

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Excerpt from Publication 19, Pasture Production, Order this publication

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Table of Contents

1. Introduction
• Table 3-3: Effect on the Germination of Type of Trefoil Seed Fed to Animals
2. Island(s)
3. Feeding Seed
4. Manure
5. Other Pasture Improvement Recommendations
   • Choosing the Improvement Technique
   • Rejuvenation
   • Renovation
   • Seeding into the Sod
   • Broadcast Seeding
   • Limited Tillage
   • Frost Seeding
   • Fertilizing Pastures
   • Nutrient Cycling
   • Soil Tests
   • Impact of Grazing Animals on Pasture Fertility
   • Weed Control
   • Trampling Effects
6. Related Links

Introduction

Cattle can be used to introduce legumes into pastures. These inexpensive renovation techniques improve pastures over a 3- to 4-year period. These methods work because the "hard seeds" found in legume seed lots pass through the animal's digestive tract and remain viable. Quick germinating seeds are killed.

Table 3-3. Effect on the Germination of Type of Trefoil Seed Fed to Animals

State of Seed	Type of Seed Eaten
	Quick Germinating	Hard
Germinated	1.2%	8.3%
Dead	98.8%	3.3%
Hard	-	88.4%
Percentage of Live Seed	1.2%	96.7%

Source: Winch, J. Investigations into the Renovation of Roughland Areas. Ontario Agriculture College, University of Guelph, 1960

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It takes 24-72 hrs for the seed to travel through the digestive tract. The seed will not germinate in freshly excreted faeces. The faeces must break down first and be thinly distributed on the soil.

Island(s)

Legumes are established in a small area(s) and the animals graze only after seed has set. In the process of grazing, seed is ingested and excreted in some other part of the field. The "islands" should be established at a distance from the water, salt and mineral supply.

Feeding Seed

Legume seeds can be added to any grain being fed, or to loose mineral mixes. Mature hay (containing seed) can be used as an alternative but the amount of seed ingested is relatively small.

Manure

Add 0.5 kg of legume seed to each load of manure spread on old pastures to encourage legume establishment.

Related Links

... on forages and pastures, visit Forages and Pastures (OMAFRA)
... on weed control, order Publication 75 Guide to Weed Control: Forage Crops
... on agronomy for field crops, order Pub. 811 Agronomy Guide for Field Crops: Chapter 3 Forages
... on field crop protection, order Publication 812, Field Crop Protection Guide
... on livestock, visit Livestock (OMAFRA)