Seeding for Winter

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I spent most of Thursday and Friday last week (Oct. 28 and 29) mowing (shreddin') the summer grass in our West Pasture and Large Trap . This slows down their growth and exposes parts of the ground, allowing winter seed that is planted to make contact with the soil. Here are pictures of the West Pasture and Large Trap after they were shredded:
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West Pasture after shredding
(Notice how much greener the unshredded
Tifton pasture is farther back)

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The Large Trap after it was shredded

(the one in the distance)

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Anticipating a good rain on Tuesday and Wednesday this week, I spent the whole day scattering winter seed in all of our pastures. Two of the pastures where we have cattle grazing -- the South Tifton and the East Pasture -- were not shredded, but were overseeded anyway.

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I used crimson clover and two different brands of ryegrass (TAMTBO and PRINE) this year. Since we only have a few head of cattle going into the winter months, I seeded at a lower rate per acre than the farmer's co-op was recommending-- only 20 lbs. per acre for ryegrass and 15 lbs. per acre for clover (instead of 40 lbs. and 20 lbs. respectively).

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Ryegrass Seed

The seeds are first poured out of their 50 lb. bags into two separate buckets and weighed. They are then mixed together in a bigger tub in a 4:3 ratio by weight -- i.e., 20 lbs : 15 lbs.

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Seeds are weighed

... and mixed in a bigger tub

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The mixture is then poured into the cone seeder that's attached to the back of the tractor and scattered.
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Clover-Ryegrass Seed Mix in Cone Seeder

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Ready to Go!

(Abraham, our Wagyu bull was my captive audience)

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The cone seeder belongs to our neighbors, Jim and Lori Shipman of JLOR Farm. 

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