Converting commercial farmland to rotational grazing pasture for sheep

We have recently purchased about 8 acres of land in west Tennessee that has been commercially farmed (corn, cotton, soybeans, wheat) for several years.  We let the land lie fallow this year mainly because we had no money left after purchasing it but want to convert it to pasture.  The same farmer has let us use some of his existing pasture for rotational grazing a flock of 25 sheep currently.  However, he recently purchased 7 cows and that really cut down on the amount of grass for the sheep and moved our pasture development up in priority.  It is hard to get good advice around here as I don't know of any local shepherds that do rotational grazing.  "Spray Round-Up on the sickle pod and horse nettle weeds, and plant fescue" is what I typically hear.

So, my newbie question is, what is the best way to get good pasture started?  We have very little equipment and would have to rent whatever we need.  What combination of grasses would work well here and what should be planted when?  It is easy enough to find information on improving pasture, but I'm having a hard time finding how to start one.

I am in a different climate than you are so I can’t advise as to what grass suites your climate but usually seed companies employ agrologists who can help you with your decision on what seed blend would work best.

For seeding, if it is still being conventionally farmed often the farmer renting the land will seed it for you for free or for a small charge. It’s called “underseeding” where they plant their crop overtop and they harvest their crop and your perennial grasses grow up underneath. Then next year your crop will be ready to graze and if they planted a grain sometimes you’ll get a pretty substantial amount of volunteer plants and that’s nice too.

If that’s not an option probably the easiest thing to do is to get a farmer who already has all of the required equipment to custom seed the land for you.

Hi C,
I would also encourage you to check in with your cooperative extension. They will have good information on what grasses and when. I agree getting a person who already has the tools to do it would be nice.

I've never done this before, so take this with a grain of salt. If it was me, and I was on a tight budget... I would probably just buy local grass seed and clover and alfalfa and spread it by by hand or with hand tools. Then let it grow with whatever seeds are already in the soil. Then get the sheep on it once the plants were established, and trust that, with good management, the pasture will normalize to the plants that are good for the sheep.

I like Matt`s suggestion.

Get a recommendation for the local county extension agent and/or ask at the local feed store.

Most likely the feed store will have a good mix that works well for where you live.

Here is some information for Tennessee:

https://utbeef.tennessee.edu/forages-forage-species/

For how to do the planting, unless you know or can hire someone, Here is how we plant our feed plots.

We use a broad cast seed speaders.  After putting down the seed we use our mule or our golf cart to run over the field so that the seed makes good contact.

It is best to do this when rain is predicted unless you have a way to get water to the seed.