Converting grasslands into pasture—The Permie Way!

Ok, serious question here:

I have a bit of acreage that is essentially grassland, though I have done nothing to maintain the grass for 18 years and I am pretty certain nothing was done for the 3-5 previous years.  I have had a number of people tell me that I should convert my grassland to hay, bale it and sell it.  I have resisted but am open to this if I can do so in a Permie way.

Here is the problem:  I have far too many “weeds” for it to be salable.  If I were to do this, how would I get rid of the “weeds” (lots of milkweed, goldenrod, plenty of others) to leave just the fescue/Timothy base along with some clover for a legume?

I have talked this with pro’s, but all I get is to use this ‘cide or the other.  That’s not happening on my land.  I would rather leave it as just natural grass than spread that stuff around.

And keeping animals is probably not a realistic option for me at this point.

Eric

At my old place we would set the bush hog high and when weeds were taller than grass cut only the tops off. After a year or two the grass just out competed it. This was a coastal Bermuda field. I wasn’t trying to be permie at the time I just didn’t have any money so that was my cheapest option.

I do not recommend cutting hay off your property and sending it elsewhere. Your just robbing your nutrients for someone else benefit imo.

In my experience the only hay worth decent money is monoculture. Here that’s Bermuda not sure about your area.

My 2 cents

Do you have the equipment to bale the hay? Or will you need to buy a baler?

My hay guy sells small square bales of weedy (mulch-quality) hay for $2.50 (when it's more like $4-5 for good horse and cow hay) and doesn't seem short on buyers. Thistles came up from it last year, but I just smothered them as they showed themselves.

Anne,

The only equipment I have for grass is a rough cutter.  If mowing would improve the quality, I could do it.  As far as baling, I could probably hire someone to bale it for me for the near term.

Eric

From what I observed from the local road crew, area that got mowed twice a year had only grass growing while the ones got mowed once between Oct and Feb still maintained the flora diversity. So mowing when the growth is active should set back many broadleaf plants and grasses will take over. I am also curious how come your field hasn't turned into a forest after so many years?

Eric Hanson wrote:Anne,

The only equipment I have for grass is a rough cutter.  If mowing would improve the quality, I could do it.  As far as baling, I could probably hire someone to bale it for me for the near term.

Eric

Why not sell it to someone who would come, cut and bale the hay eliminating the middle man rather than hiring someone to bale it?

Like May, I am surprised it has not reverted to a forest. Though maybe when you had animals they helped.