Ask the Pasture Pros

Whether you need fertilization or weed control for horse pastures, Southern States has the right products backed by expert advice.

Jason Lipinski consults with applicator Bradforde Jett as he works O'Brien's fields.

Keeping your pastures in top production doesn't happen by accident. It's the result of a well-planned fertilization and weed-control program.

Regardless of what your pasture challenge is, expert help is as close as your Southern States retailer.

Fertility Needs Fulfilled

About a year ago, Catherine O'Brien and her husband, Al Myers, bought a house and some land that was unkept and thickly wooded.

Now their 8-acre property, named Skyview Farm, is a well-manicured set of neatly fenced horse pastures surrounding their newly remodeled home in rural Goochland, Va.

Progressing from that challenging beginning point to what they've achieved has been a labor of love, with help from Southern States. Besides the normal problems associated with developing land from scratch, wet weather interrupted progress.

"It rained so much we couldn't get anything in the field, much less an application rig," Catherine says. "The ground was so soggy that we had to set every fencepost in concrete."

"There's added value in having the products Southern States offers backed by expert advice. That's where Southern States really stands out."

Despite the obstacles, the couple was determined to develop their dream property into a scenic respite from their full-time jobs. "We took advantage of an opportunity to sell our rural home and pasture near Chesterfield," she explains. "This is a lifestyle for me. I've loved horses since I was a little girl. They're my hobby and a great way to relax."

One of the couple's first moves was contacting Jason Lipinski, manager of Goochland Service, the Southern States retailer in Goochland, Va. "Jason worked with us to set priorities on what needed to be done and to allocate resources," Catherine says.

Lipinski says the couple is typical of a growing customer base for this store and many others in rural areas near major metropolitan areas. They work in town but want to enjoy the rural lifestyle.

"They rely on us to recommend the right products and services," he adds. "My goal is to provide what they need and help them stay within their budget."

Even though it was early in the season, Catherine O'Brien was pleased with her new pasture.

Adapting to these changes, the store plans to invest in smaller application equipment to better serve customers with small pastures.

Catherine says it's hard to beat Southern States on price, quality and service. "I'm a financial analyst, so I normally shop around and budget for expenses," says O'Brien. "There's added value in having the products Southern States offers backed by expert advice. That's where Southern States really stands out."

The couple says Southern States, along with their local Extension Service, has been an excellent source of advice.

After clearing the land, their first order of business was establishing pastures. Because it was so wet throughout early spring, Lipinski and his staff could not get into the freshly disturbed soil with a spreader truck to seed the land.

They adapted to the challenge, delivering lime, fertilizer and seed in bags. "We used a garden tractor and spreader," Catherine says. "It was the only way we could get our pasture seeded under those conditions."

Now that their pasture is growing, Catherine says she'll rely on Southern States for her fertilizer and application needs. "When it comes to fertilizer and liming, I no longer shop around," she notes. "With Southern States, I know they will be there on time and the job will be done right."

Southern States has been the couple's source for everything from fencing to stable supplies, as well as horse feed and dog food. As a result, they're well on the way to making their dream for the new farmstead a reality.

Wiping Out Weeds

Jeff McDaniel is the ranch and farm manager of River's Bend Ranch, a diversified horse and cattle operation near Luray, Va., owned by Warren and Elaine McConnell. McDaniel faces challenges most commercial operators don't.

"We manage these pastures for top-quality forage for our horses," McDaniel says. "But it's also important that the pastures are picture perfect for guests of our bed and breakfast operation."

Bill Duncan (left) and Jeff McDaniel are hard pressed to find a weed anywhere in this horse pasture.

Meeting those demands was a challenge that McDaniel's former supplier couldn't handle. Bill Duncan, a Southern States Certified Crop Advisor and field services advisor, suggested McDaniel try Grazon™ from Dow AgroSciences. Grazon gives excellent control of a variety of common pasture weeds.

Grazon is ideal for horse pastures because it has a long residual effect and there are no grazing restrictions after the application, Duncan notes. Also, he adds, Grazon is not as temperature sensitive as many alternate herbicides.

"These pastures were a challenge," Duncan notes, looking across a weed-free pasture. "We didn't treat it until late [early summer] due to our wet spring last year. It knocked down the broadleaves immediately; within a week, all competitive weeds were gone."

McDaniel says the pasture's condition was due to spotty results from past treatments and a year without herbicide applications. "Thistle, sand brier and mullein were our biggest problems, but the Grazon took care of them," he says.

He credits the application job as well as the expertise and quality advice Duncan provides as major factors for the good results.

"Victor Atwood [the driver from the co-op's store in Luray, Va., who treated McDaniel's pastures] went the extra mile to do a good job," he adds.

Note: Grazon is a contact herbicide that provides excellent control of many of the most common pasture weeds. It can be applied any time weeds are actively growing. And once applied it is rainfast in just two hours. Depending on weeds and pasture conditions, spot treatment rates vary from 1.25 to 1.5 ounces of product per gallon of water. (Grazon is a trademark of Dow Agrosciences.)