Putting crop ground back into grass

Reid1650 · Jan 11, 2012

How much would you guys say it would cost per acre to put crop ground back into grass? Consider drill rental to be $10/acre and fuel at $2/acre. Just guessing on the fuel. Thanks!

NY 986 · Jan 11, 2012

There was a similar thread on here recently. What kind of grass and what conditions does it need in terms of drainage, soil PH, and fertility? Can the seed be bought from a reliable area farmer versus paying the top dollar of a seed company? Is a legume to be seeded too or should a legume be seeded? A lot of variables to be looked at and could be 50 dollars an acre or more if company bought seed, lime, and fertilizer are needed. Is this part of an arrangement you have to return leased crop ground to grassland? Does the landlord have his stipulations made known to you for his (or her) to comply with? Sorry for all the questions.

agman · Jan 11, 2012

(quoted from post at 09:01:59 01/11/12) How much would you guys say it would cost per acre to put crop ground back into grass? Consider drill rental to be $10/acre and fuel at $2/acre. Just guessing on the fuel. Thanks!

Wow, and here I thought everyone was in a mad rush to plow out every patch of grass they could find and plant corn. Looks to me like all you'll need is the pasture mix of your choice, disk it down first or if the drill is no-till that is another option. Pasture will be pretty low productivity the first year as it grows its root system and gets established and year 2 should really kick in. If seed is cheap you could save on the drill and broadcast and harrow it in. If a lot of residual herbicides were used in the corn, carryover could be a risk, primarily for the clovers or alfalfa you may add, but I wouldn't be real worried about it.

Wilks54 · Jan 11, 2012

FOUND HIM!!!

(the one guy that doesn't want to plant corn)

I don't know costs specifically, but I always figure about $7-10 per 10 sq yrd. Depending on prep and seed quality, and strawing/watering. First year grass will be worthless.

Reid1650 · Jan 11, 2012

It will just be a pasture mix that I will no till in with the drill. Fertility is paid by the land owner. How many pounds of pasture mix per acre and what will the seed cost round figure? I doubt I will be able to get it from an area farmer as nobody around here combines grass seed.

rrlund · Jan 11, 2012

I'll just tell you that I seed smooth brome with my alfalfa every spring. The brome seed is a little more expensive than the alfalfa. Pounds per acre is about the same. Just a figure to throw out there for consideration.

NY 986 · Jan 11, 2012

I would say allow for at least 20 dollars an acre especially if more than one variety is needed. So you will have at least 30 dollars an acre into the job. Seed is so darned expensive now a days regardless of what a person is buying.

jackinok · Jan 11, 2012

I buy alfalfa seed for between $2 and $2.50 per pound,seed at a rate of 20-30lbs per acre (more in poorer ground).so about $40-$60 per acre.grass seed it depends on what type of course,But I would figure in more fuel cost if it were mine.I like the ground in the best condition i can get it in when sowing grass ( my opinion of course).around here getting the grass established to start with is the tricky part.i like to get the ground in the best shape possible,even more so than when Im planting a row crop or something of the nature.its hard to go back and do any thing with grass ,like you can in a row crop by cultivating or something.

gene bender · Jan 11, 2012

You better talk to your local seed dealer as he knows what types you can raise on your land and have input costs. These people here dont know what type of soil you have nor location or the current price of good seed and what are you going to do with it when it grows. Good Alfalfa drilled can produce several tons the first yr if you have the rest of the backup system in place.

oldtanker · Jan 11, 2012

I seeded 11 acres theis past spring in a pasture mix. I opted for the better quality seed and put it in at 16 lbs an acre (COOPs recomendation). Turned out fantastic.

Rick

donjr · Jan 11, 2012

For a starter, I'd never put alfalfa on poor ground. It's usually low in ph, and alfalfa likes sweet ground, closer to 7.0. Putting it on ground less than 6.5 will waste a lot of expensive seed. Soil test, and lime to recommendation before you plant whatever crop you choose. Sounds like a lot more expensive way to do things, but it will pay you back in dividends later. And if you have it, a good heavy dose of manure won't hurt, and cut costs.

Negligence · Jan 12, 2012

Your seed costs will run anywhere from $20-30 an acre, assuming you apply about 16lb/acre and costs between $1-2.50lb for type of grass.

Do you have a 3pt hitch fertilizer spreader (or borrow one?) You can seed in hay that way, though it's best if you can roll it afterwards to press the seeds in. A drill works too, but it's moreso intended to be used if you are seeding in oats or another cover crop.

Putting crop ground back into grass

Reid1650

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NY 986

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agman

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Wilks54

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Reid1650

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rrlund

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NY 986

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jackinok

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gene bender

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oldtanker

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donjr

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Negligence

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