What I've Learned About Quality Pasture-Part II

Folks, I'm still in chapter one! I'm having to read and re-read and I'm still not sure I'm taking it all in. It's not that it is complicated information, just so much of it that I want to make sure I get as much as I can. So, in this article, I will share what has been gleaned thus far.

It is best to spread lime on your pasture in smaller amounts more frequently rather than one large "dumping". There are several reasons for this, but I'll focus on one right now. Earthworms are a necessary part of the soil. I think most of us understand that. However, many of us don't understand that earthworms do not like massive amounts of Nitrogen or Potash at one time. I didn't know this. Not that it matters, with all of the post holes I've dug, I have foumd maybe 2 earthworms. So, too much N can be detrimental to the earthworm population.

The secret is to follow God's design by using multiple, smaller applications of lime. There is little detrimental evidence if N is applied at around 40lbs/acre.

Earthworms are our helpers. Research in New Zealand indicates that a good crop of earthworms in the pasture can increase the growth rate by as much as 25%. They can also decrease your fertilizer bill substantially.

Earthworms make phosphate, calcium, magnesium, zinc and boron more accesible to plants. Worms help soil drainage throgh the holes they leave. This also aids in allowing the soil to breathe. They take oxygen downwrd to aerobic bacteria and allow carbon dioxide to escape, which benefits carbon dioxide breathing plants.

The burrows the worms leave stay for several years, loosening the soil to allow plant roots to penetrate the susoil. The burrows also reduce soil compaction.

Worms recycle plant mulch and manure into humus. Their deposites contain 5-10 times the amount of soluble plant nutrients than the original soil. Not only that, the soil processed by worms is always close to a neutral pH, and they spread beneficial microbes through the soil.

Research indicates the worm rich pastures had water infiltration rates 4 times higher than before. Last, but not least, worms eat the harmful nematodes that feed on clover roots.

Because worms create plant-available phosphate and potassium, liming should take a front seat to phosphorus and potassium fertilization. And if you till your land, you should do it during the mid-day. Worms are nearer the surface during the morning and late afternoon hours, when the ground is cooler. Whew!

We don't have the equipment to till here, so that is not a problem. Our problem is that the soil is too acidic, which the worms don't like. Once we can bring the pH around, we will actually grow worms to add to the pasture. It is worth it, in my book, to cut down on hay costs in the future.

Again, keep checking back for further installments in my journey to better pasture.