Supplementing native grasses in Texas

Last year I low-tilled with a disker, cast in the furrows then dragged Sweet Grazer sorghum. I did not eliminate native grasses. That's not my intent. The Sorghum did come up a bit and our cows ate it. That's why I plant it, not to cut and bale. I noticed all the crap on the seeds (see pic) too late...derp a doodle doo. So this year I bought untreated Milo and am planting the same way. disk/cast/drag. Last year was 2 acres, this year i'm doing double.

I was talking with an old timer about spare disks. He started here about 30 years ago. After about 5 years, he gave up on planting and now just lets native grasses grows. When invasive species take over (thank you government), he burns fields. That's not always possible due to fire risk.

It got me to thinking about the viability of my plan. I don't want to eliminate the native Central Texas grasses. We have no roads nearby so little invasive grasses as found by asphalt.  I just want to supplement the native grasses with Milo. Many locals do nothing, or they do a full agribusiness hay operation which we know is wasteful, destructive to topsoil, and relies on fertilizer. I don't fertilize. Cow poop is good enough.

Is anybody else supplementing native grasses with a Spring crop such as Milo or other Sorghum?

I don't know how many serious cattle graziers there are in this group, but this is a question I would ask of the regenerative grazing group on Facebook.

Reno, have you identified what your natives grasses are?

Have you considered seeding with those grasses or other native grasses for your area?

Reno,

A few questions for you:

What is your forage plan/goals? You say you want to supplement natives, but to what end other than nutrition?  Is soil health part of the plan?  

Are you going to rotationally graze, traditionally graze, take any hay/stockpile?

What equipment do you have other than the disk?  Has germination with the disk, cast, drag program?  Has germination been an issue with this method?  

Why milo and are you interested in discussing alternatives?

Here are a few suggestions for cattle forage that might work well for you.  Red River Crabgrass.  An annual grass but good reseeder, so it comes back each year as long as you don't cut before seed formation.  It only needs to be about 1/4 inch in depth to germinate.  If you cast and drag, you should see good germination rates.

Chicory and plantain.  Good deep root system.  Perennial plants that will give a diverse pasture for years to come.  Won't out compete grasses.  1/4-1/2 inche depth of seed, so goes well with other small seed grasses in a cast and drag process.  I would also throw red and white clover into a 4 way blend of crab grass/chicory/plantain/clover and any native grass seed you can afford.  (dang that stuff is pricey!)

If you are looking for warm season forage in Texas Sunn Hemp/Milo/Sorghum/velvet bean (hard to find those seeds.) disked down to about a 1/2 inch cast and drug will give you a lot of high protein that is fast growing and handles drought well.  Sunflowers and a few other seeds rounds out diversity for the soil in a mix.  Sunn Hemp will get to six feet in 90 days and can be grazed or cut all summer until first frost, same with velvet bean.  Hemp and velvet bean are nitrogen fixers, so help with fertility as they grow.  

This is my spring pasture plan if I can get enough mesquite cut to get a tractor into one of my pastures.  If you need some resources for seed suppliers or more info on what the crops contribute, I would be happy to answer any questions.

Jack Edmondson wrote:Reno,

A few questions for you:

What is your forage plan/goals? You say you want to supplement natives, but to what end other than nutrition?  Is soil health part of the plan?  

Are you going to rotationally graze, traditionally graze, take any hay/stockpile?

What equipment do you have other than the disk?  Has germination with the disk, cast, drag program?  Has germination been an issue with this method?  

Why milo and are you interested in discussing alternatives?

Here are a few suggestions for cattle forage that might work well for you.  Red River Crabgrass.  An annual grass but good reseeder, so it comes back each year as long as you don't cut before seed formation.  It only needs to be about 1/4 inch in depth to germinate.  If you cast and drag, you should see good germination rates.

Chicory and plantain.  Good deep root system.  Perennial plants that will give a diverse pasture for years to come.  Won't out compete grasses.  1/4-1/2 inche depth of seed, so goes well with other small seed grasses in a cast and drag process.  I would also throw red and white clover into a 4 way blend of crab grass/chicory/plantain/clover and any native grass seed you can afford.  (dang that stuff is pricey!)

If you are looking for warm season forage in Texas Sunn Hemp/Milo/Sorghum/velvet bean (hard to find those seeds.) disked down to about a 1/2 inch cast and drug will give you a lot of high protein that is fast growing and handles drought well.  Sunflowers and a few other seeds rounds out diversity for the soil in a mix.  Sunn Hemp will get to six feet in 90 days and can be grazed or cut all summer until first frost, same with velvet bean.  Hemp and velvet bean are nitrogen fixers, so help with fertility as they grow.  

This is my spring pasture plan if I can get enough mesquite cut to get a tractor into one of my pastures.  If you need some resources for seed suppliers or more info on what the crops contribute, I would be happy to answer any questions.

Jack, I'd like to know your cool season plan? Johnson county over here.

I have missed my personal window for cool planting.  If I get something in this year it will be quick and dirty (easy).  This is not an ideal model by any means.  For me it will get roots in the soil and cover on the ground, plus some much needed forage after this drought.  

Oats are cheap and easy to plant.  If your seed dealer is out (mine is) the germination rates will be a little lower; but Tractor Supply whole oats (not crimped or rolled) will do.  To that I would throw in the chicory and plantain (perennials.) A good investment either way.   Winter rye grass is cheap and easy and easy to find.  White Clove and  buckwheat for an early green up in the spring.  One could also go with grain rye and wheat.   Essex Rape (canola), any turnip or radish species, and Bayou Kale are all good winter options.    

All the options below should be okay at 1/4 to 1/2 inch of planting depth, so can be done in a single pass.  Only the winter pea needs to be at an inch, but I have no experience with it.  You can pick and choose for a diverse mix:  I don't have experience in large scale forage pastures.  I am just looking for something to cover the ground.  My pastures are burned up.  

Grasses:
winter rye grass
Oats
Wheat
Rye grain
Buckwheat

Brassicas:
Turnips
Essex Rape
Bayou kale

Forbs:
chicory
Plantain

Legumes:
White clovers
Crimson clover
Winter pea
Vetch

Thank you! A lot to consider.