Lecture 9- Pasture Modification and Range Reseeding

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering objectives, methods, equipment, establishment factors, and species tolerance ratings for pasture modification and range reseeding from AGN 2540.

Pasture Modification Objectives

The application of sound techniques to facilitate management, improve pasture condition, and increase forage and animal productivity.

Goals of Pasture Modification

Eight management targets:

improving forage quality

increasing forage yield

increasing livestock production

improving livestock handling systems

controlling undesirable plant species

increasing water efficiency

improving animal distribution and reducing labor costs.

Range Reseeding

Modifying rangeland vegetation by introducing superior tame or agronomic forage species into the existing stand.

Interseeding

A range reseeding method where forage species are introduced directly into an existing stand by selecting appropriate species, determining a dispersal method, reducing competition from existing vegetation, and seeding at an optimal time.

Advantages of Interseeding

Results in minimal loss of production on the grazing pasture, presents less erosion risk, and is relatively inexpensive.

Disadvantages of Interseeding

Limited establishment success and the requirement for specialized equipment.

Total Revegetation

A range reseeding method involving the elimination of all competing vegetation using chemicals or cultivation, preparing a suitable seedbed, and planting an appropriate forage mixture using correct establishment techniques.

Advantages of Total Revegetation

Allows for increased stocking rates, extends the season of use, and improves overall forage quality.

Disadvantages of Total Revegetation

Increases the risk of erosion, causes a complete loss of forage production during establishment years, destroys the natural plant community, and is expensive.

Ideal Seedbed Preparation

Preparing a seedbed condition that is clean, fine, firm, fertile, and moist.

Forage Seeding Depth

Generally recommended to be placed at a depth of $\frac{1}{2}\text{ to } 1\text{''}$ ($0.5\text{ to } 2\text{ cm}$).

Forage Seeding Rate

Calibrated to approximately $20\text{ seeds/row foot}$ with $6\text{''}$ spacing, and approximately $25\text{--}30\text{ seeds/row foot}$ with $12\text{ to } 24\text{''}$ row spacing.

Drop Spreader

A seeding implement featuring a hopper that drops seed or soil amendments directly down onto the ground in bands or rows beneath the implement.

Broadcast Spreader

An implement that distributes seed or fertilizer across the surface by dispersing it over a wide pattern using a spinning broadcaster.

No-Till Drill

Heavy seeding equipment designed specifically to cut and break through existing sod and place forage seeds directly into unworked ground.

Smooth Brome Tolerances

A tame grass demonstrating a balanced, moderate tolerance rating of $3$ out of $5$ across all five agronomic categories: drought, flooding, salinity, alkalinity, and acidity.

Tall Wheatgrass Tolerances

A tame grass rated with maximum tolerance ($5/5$) for salinity and alkalinity, high tolerance ($4/5$) for flooding, but very low tolerance ($1/5$) for drought and low tolerance ($2/5$) for acidity.

Reed Canarygrass Tolerances

A tame grass species rated with maximum tolerance ($5/5$) to flooding, but very low tolerance ($1/5$) to drought, low tolerance ($2/5$) to salinity and alkalinity, and moderate tolerance ($3/5$) to acidity.

Meadow Foxtail Tolerances

A tame grass characterized by maximum tolerance ($5/5$) to flooding and acidity, high tolerance ($4/5$) to salinity and alkalinity, and moderate tolerance ($3/5$) to drought.

Russian Wild Ryegrass Tolerances

A tame grass characterized by maximum drought tolerance ($5/5$), high salinity tolerance ($4/5$), moderate alkalinity tolerance ($3/5$), and low tolerance ($2/5$) to flooding and acidity.

Alfalfa Tolerances

A tame legume species with maximum tolerance ($5/5$) to drought, high tolerance ($4/5$) to salinity, moderate tolerance ($3/5$) to alkalinity, low tolerance ($2/5$) to flooding, and very low tolerance ($1/5$) to acidity.

Alsike Clover Tolerances

A tame legume characterized by high tolerance ($4/5$) to flooding, alkalinity, and acidity, but low tolerance ($2/5$) to salinity and very low tolerance ($1/5$) to drought.

Sweet Clover Tolerances

A tame legume displaying maximum drought tolerance ($5/5$), high tolerance ($4/5$) to salinity and alkalinity, low tolerance ($2/5$) to flooding, and very low tolerance ($1/5$) to acidity.

Forage and Cow-Calf Research and Teaching Unit

An academic unit based at the University of Saskatchewan that produces video resources detailing forage establishment and pasture fertilization practices.