Evaluation of Methods of Pasture Rejuvenation for Improved Forage Production

Core Ideas Methods to improving depleted forage stand by seeding, weed control, fertilizer application, and aeration were investigated. A combination of vegetation control + direct seeding improved forage yield, crude protein, and total digestible nutrients. A 2‐year combined forage yield for four methods increased profit from forage production. A 3‐year on‐farm study was conducted in northwestern Alberta to determine the effects of several pasture rejuvenation methods such as breaking and reseeding, spraying to control weeds and brush, forage‐seeding methods, fertilizer application, pasture rest, and aeration/spiking on forage dry matter (DM) yield, botanical composition, and forage quality. Three years after methods were implemented, the pasture rejuvenation methods investigated significantly affected (P < 0.05) forage DM yield; forage botanical composition; forage Ca, P, Ca:P ratio, K, Mg, and Cu; revenue generated for forage production; and marginal returns. Rejuvenation methods did not affect (P > 0.05) forage C:P ratio, S, Na, Fe, Zn, Mn, and total digestible nutrients. Spring herbicide application + direct seeding (RSS), fertilizer application (FERT), and fall herbicide application + broadcast seed in spring (RFBSS) improved forage production and some forage quality parameters more than other methods over control. Legume composition in the total forage production was as much as 29% for RSS compared with 2–17% for other methods including the control. For a 2‐year combined forage DM yield after methods were implemented, total forage DM yield, revenue generated, and marginal returns for forage production as well as profit over control were significantly greater (P < 0.05) for RSS than other pasture rejuvenation methods investigated. The study demonstrated that RSS improved forage DM yield and some quality parameters (particularly crude protein, Ca, and Ca:P). Also, RSS increased both revenue and profit over most methods including control. Results suggest RSS can be recommended as an effective method or option of improving the forage productivity of depleted pastures.