Disking Bermuda for Native Grasses

[econometrics]

Howdy all!

I have about 15 acres of bermuda that hasn't had cattle on it for at least 6-7 years. It's mainly just been cut with an MX-6 a few times per year.

In the next 1-3 years, I'm going to start bringing in natural grasses to replace the bermuda all-together. I'm not interesting in ranching for a living, but I'll have a few grazers on there in the future that I can move around with mobile fencing.

Anyway, I got off the phone with a local extension service this morning where we discussed a good plan to get this process started. He advised that I disk up a few strips of the bermuda right now to allow some forbs and native species to start to come back in so some of the abundant wildlife I have on the property will have something to munch on this spring. Later, I will get really intensive with this and disk to get rid of the bermuda entirely, but this is just a start.

So, any advice on how many strips to disk to begin with? Any other pointers out there for a newb?!

 

[bcp]

I would expect disking Bermuda would just create a new crop of Bermuda in a year or two, unless the native plants can out-compete the Bermuda. But my Bermuda experience has been in desert areas with no serious native competitors. Some places recommend spraying first.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...ueYX_-rEra0vXrvZXyqc9kg&bvm=bv.42661473,d.cGE

KY: Kentucky Dept Fish and Wildlife -

 

[psj12]

Bermuda is very aggressive and even if you kill it and disc it, it will spread via runners into the planted area and choke out the native grasses.

 

[Western]

Yep discing it will usually make it thicker, it loves to be disc and thats why we do it for hay. When you cut the runners, you now have twice as many plants that want to grow. Now if you keep it disc during the hottest time of summer, I think you'll make some headway, it will have to TOTALLY dry out

 

[econometrics]

Thanks for the inputs so far, all. This is great stuff.

The extension rep I talked with did mention that bermuda loves the disc. His suggestion was in line with what you're noting above - that bermuda usually comes back stronger when disked. He said it would be good for the wildlife to be able to eat on the new growth, and that disking it would at least give some of the native forbs a chance to grow this spring - but he noted the bermuda would crowd it out later in the growing season.

In the long run, I will aggressively disc the entire acreage down in 1/2-1 acre square sections and begin to bring in the natural grasses.

I do not wish to spray to kill anything, so I'm looking at what would help me get started on the 1-3 year process the best.

Keep it coming! :thumbsup:

 

[econometrics]

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...ueYX_-rEra0vXrvZXyqc9kg&bvm=bv.42661473,d.cGE

KY: Kentucky Dept Fish and Wildlife -

This was a great read, thank you!

 

[RDrancher]

You may want to get in touch with the Noble Foundation out of Oklahoma. They're proponents of preserving native grasses and such. I know that when I was researching it a few years ago, they were a good place to start. I don't remember what I learned...you know that memory thing and all. Here's a link The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation

 

[econometrics]

I don't remember what I learned...you know that memory thing and all. Here's a link The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation

:laughing: I hear you! Thank you for the link, this looks like a wealth of info!

 

[Western]

One other thought, Bermuda is not tolerant of shade. If your going for the wildlife, plant some bushes and trees that will supply them with cover and nutrition. Wild plums, persimmon, pears and many other native type fruits (not counting the pear as native) Wild plums will grow into a nice thicket and provide great cover for birds as well, quail like the thickets too if your fortunate to still have quail.

If it where me, I'd plow the whole 15 acres right now to loosen the soil, then in the heat of summer pound it hard. If you can kill 10% by plowing the whole thing, that will be almost like doing strips, but get you ready for softer ground when it's hot and dry.

 

[econometrics]

Thanks, Dennis. Good ideas about the shade, and then taking advantage of it being tilled during the summer months.

The Mrs. and I will hopefully be fully moved out onto the land this time next year, so next year will really be when I get involved in all this in more of a "full-time" manner. So right now I just want to start the process in my "spare time" (whatever that is, right? HA!)

Ideally, we are hoping to make the grasslands more idea for wildlife AND livestock (though the livestock will be in small quantities.)

 

[edlegault]

Maybe burn it??

 

[Western]

Maybe burn it??

Burning it will just add Potash and allow the ground to warm up this Spring sooner and it will grow like crazy! Bermuda is a tough thing to get started sometimes, but stubborn once it is established. I have "heard" the roots can get to 20'.

 

[econometrics]

I have "heard" the roots can get to 20'.

Wowzers! I better get my subsoiler ready, ha!

 

[Western]

Wowzers! I better get my subsoiler ready, ha!

:laughing: Its a tough grass once established, but the runners are the culprit rather than deep roots from my past experience. Sub-soiler would be great way to rip it up a few times, in the dry months.

 

[econometrics]

Yeah, maybe some strips through it every few feet about 4-6 inches in depth or so you think?

 

[Western]

I'd go as deep as you feel you can since you will have to disc it to smooth it back out. Dryness will be the key I'm sure.

 

[robbyr]

For the life of me I can't figure out why you would wanna replace bermuda. Do you know what variety it is? Coastal, Alicia, Tifton, Jiggs? At any rate please just dig it up and bring it over, I could use it.

 

[greasemonkeyok]

In my limited experience, anything short of applying a herbicide or removing all of the pieces of bermuda left behind will not work. Every little section of the runners left in the soil will grow vigorously. Your best bet is to consult with someone like the forage experts at the Noble Foundation.

 

[econometrics]

For the life of me I can't figure out why you would wanna replace bermuda. Do you know what variety it is? Coastal, Alicia, Tifton, Jiggs? At any rate please just dig it up and bring it over, I could use it.

I'm 95% sure it is coastal.

The main reason is because it is not a truly native grass. It requires, on most occasions, the application of synthetic stimulants to keep it strong and healthy. The Mrs. and I's goal is to restore the land to its natural habitat - one that fosters the grow of many natural plants / species that work in constant, natural unison to enrich the land.

The other is that I have no desire to ranch cattle, but instead would like the land to be useful to wildlife first, then a very small amount of livestock in the future (potentially). Natural grasses have much more nutrient-dense forbs, blades, etc. for the wildlife - and for smaller numbers of livestock if grazed in rotation.

Anyway, feel free to come over in a year and harvest the bermuda off my land if you'd like.

 

[econometrics]

In my limited experience, anything short of applying a herbicide or removing all of the pieces of bermuda left behind will not work. Every little section of the runners left in the soil will grow vigorously. Your best bet is to consult with someone like the forage experts at the Noble Foundation.

Thanks for the advice. I agree on consulting with an expert. My extension rep said that if I am diligent to disc it often, and then replace the heavily-disced sections with native grasses in square sections little by little, we should see some good long term production of native grasses. Of course, this will require drilling the native seed into the ground, keeping the bermuda from suffocating it, etc. Sounds like quite a fun project! :licking: