Effect of Sodseeding Method on Ryegrass‐Clover Mixtures for Grazing Beef Animals

Abstract

Fall sodseeding of annual forages into perennial warm‐season pastures offers a practical method of extending the grazing season and improving forage quality. A 2‐yr study evaluating the effect of sodseeding method and ryegrass‐clo‐ver mixtures on forage production, animal performance, and economics of sodseeded winter pastures for growing beef animals was conducted. Forage mixtures of either annual ryegrass ( Lolium multiflorum Lam.)‐white clover ( Trifolium repens L.) (R‐W) or ryegrass‐white clover‐crimson clover ( Trifolium incarnatum L.) (R‐W‐C) were sodseeded into common bermudagrass [ Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] pastures in the fall by (i) drilling into the sod using a conventional grain drill equipped with a small seed attachment (Drill), or (ii) lightly disking (less than 1 in. deep) before broadcast seeding followed by lightly disking and harrowing (Broadcast). Pastures were grazed with weanling calves beginning in late November in Year 1 and late December in Year 2 through May. Sodseeding method had no effect on total yield. The addition of crimson clover into the mixture increased total forage production (P=0.10), monthly clover percentage ( P <0.05) during February, March, and April, and animal grazing days ( P <0.05) during April. Animal gains and beef production per acre were not affected by either sodseeding method or mixture averaging 2.15 lb/head/d and 460 lb beef/acre. Economic analysis showed the highest net returns for drilling R‐W mixtures ($93/acre). Bermudagrass hay production following the grazing season was similar for both sodseeding methods and both mixtures. The results of this study suggest that the easiest or least expensive method for fall sodseeding should be considered.