Spraying fescue fields-- what will appear?

[Takedown Warrior]

I have a few areas of fescue that I am thinking of spraying with Roundup and then not doing anything at all.These are flat areas with not much erosion potential.What vegetation could I expect to appear? At one time these fields were used for corn and tobacco production but havent been fertilized or cultivated recently.They have been mowed recently though 2 or 3 times yearly.One field does have some ironweed and maybe joe pye weed come in each year as well as other weedy vegetation.

[bowens]

i did something similar on my farm in indiana yrs ago and you might be surprised what you get. i got eastern cedars, locust trees, clover,goldenrod,thistle, blackberries, daisys, black eyed susans. my advice if you just want to go natural would be to just lightly disc not too deep just to disturb the old seeds and you will get a mixed bag that has something for everything. you could also use the no till seeds etc. its amazing how mother nature will make things right. good luck.

[GSP]

You should expect more weedy vegetation, (iron weed, queen ann lace, golden rod) which is better than fescue. You will also get what ever the birds carry in plus some native grass coming back. You will also get fescue coming back in some areas. Something to think about before doing this, before you are go to the expense of round-up and if you have equipment advailability or no-till drill. I would turn it, work it up and plant something like a heavy QU mix, a heavy base of milo. This will choke a lot of fescue out and draw critters. This fall, disk and sow wheat. You've made a critter base for a year and not srayed. Next spring, do your sraying and there won't be near as much fescue to kill. Save, you money, kill more fescue and you'll have a year of habitat.



Edited by - gsp on 04/15/2002 10:06:41 PM

[Takedown Warrior]

Thanks for the advice guys.gsp I have a wildlife mix of buckwheat,soybeans,grain sorghum (milo),german millet and red clover that I am thinking of planting around the last week of April or first week of May.Will this be sufficient?Is there anything better?I am wanting to cut down on some of the mowing I have to do.I am also doing a WHIP project this spring and need access to a narrow drill seeder.I can get one from Fish and Wildlife but I need a seeder that is only about 8 ft. in total width (outside to outside) to negotiate the narrow road I use to get to the area to be seeded.Ant one have anyideas? It needs to be able to handle warm season grasses and maybe forbs.

[GSP]

Takedown,
Anything will work, just sow it so it will come up heavy. I've posted on a few of these threads with the same suggestion, because it worked for me and it didn't involve sraying. I just ain't big on sraying. (I know it works and it is quick). Fesuce can be choked out also. It takes a little more work, but you are growing some habitat while doing it.
As for equipment, call your area wildlife biologist, he may have a small drill. Also, check with your local NWTF chapter. Some chapters have drills.
If you have no luck and you can plow/disk area. The seeds you have can be broadcasted and lightly cut in with a disk or drag. Actually the seeds you mentioned are exactly what is in QU mix. It will choke out everything.
What part of the state are you in?

[Takedown Warrior]

gsp I am in east Ky near Jackson Booneville area.Have been in contact with biologist and he has a drill -- just not a small one.Area I need the drill for is an old strip mine so I hope I dont have to disk as that might bring lots of rock,etc. to the top.

[GSP]

You might try contacting Ronnie Wells in Paintsville, "Birdman" on this site. He may know of one. You have probably been talking with Jason Plaxico with the dept. He did some work on my farm in Morgan county. He's a good guy to work with. I'll ask around this weekend and see if anyone knows of a small drill in the area.

[Takedown Warrior]

gsp-- I have tried to send Birdman an email a couple of days ago and havent heard anything back.Dont know if he even received the message or not.If you run across one of those small seeders and could let me know about I would greatly appreciate it.

[Birdman]

Takedown, Birdman here I didn't get your e-mail but just read of your problem. All the anwsers you received will work, and Jason is a good man but he's as busniess as a one legged man in an ass kicking contest. I've got a good friend that Jason worked up a plan for on just the same type of land. He simply disk the stripe proprity and sowed clover, millet,sunflowers,and wheat. He did get a soil sample and added what was needed. But everything came up real will. If you would like his name I'm sure he would be glad to talk with you. Get back in touch if I can help.

PS Do any grouse hunting in your area, if so we'll try to get to geather and run some setters. Nice country where your from.

Edited by - birdman on 05/11/2002 12:50:07 AM