I have about 50 acres of open pasture that hasn't been mowed in years. Wondering if I should. Are there benefits? Any negative effects?
Best time of year to mow if any? How many times a year?

Did your cows get out?

I take you are not in East Texas. You wouldn't be able to mow it after a few years if you were

EagleFordEarl said:

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Did your cows get out?

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We rotate them in 3 different pastures throughout the year

Neches21 said:

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I take you are not in East Texas. You wouldn't be able to mow it after a few years if you were

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We're in central texas

Turn your cows out in there. If not, shred it high.

Mowing helps our Bermuda take over and limits stickers and nettle. South of San Antonio

AgsMnn said:

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Turn your cows out in there. If not, shred it high.

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We just took them out of this particular pasture. Seems to be overgrown with weeds and dried out / brown grass that they didn't eat. I'm wondering if I should shred this down to stimulate new growth underneath

sometimes I have thought about it. He is always asking me to donate more money.

burn it

Bottlerocket said:

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burn it

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Would LOVE to. Don't know who to contact. Will do a little research to find out.

Is this a euphemism for manscaping?

If so, yes, I mow my pasture.

barnag said:

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Bottlerocket said:

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burn it

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Would LOVE to. Don't know who to contact. Will do a little research to find out.

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What county are you in?

txyaloo said:

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barnag said:

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Bottlerocket said:

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burn it

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Would LOVE to. Don't know who to contact. Will do a little research to find out.

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What county are you in?

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Bosque

barnag said:

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Bottlerocket said:

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burn it

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Would LOVE to. Don't know who to contact. Will do a little research to find out.

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Texas Perscribed Burn Association is a great starting point. We used to burn with them all the time.

https://texasagriculture.gov/Home/ProductionAgriculture/PrescribedBurnProgram/TexasPrescribedBurnAssociations.aspx

Burn it.

I'm happy with the results of burning on my land. I've done it 3 times and only paid out of pocket once. I'm not sure about central TX but in my area there are at least 4 different grants that will pay for the cost of hiring an insured prescribed burn contractor. Call your county extension agent.

I shred 20 acres at the house a couple of times per year. Mainly to keep the rattle snakes pushed out, but I like the appearance also. At the farm, nope, we run cattle and we are in the Texas Panhandle so we can't afford to lose any grass to the shredder.

The place we bought in Young County had about a 40 acre pasture that had been cultivated at one time. The mesquites were trying to take over so I have been treating with Remedy and shredding when they die. Only one flat on the tractor so far! In my uneducated mind, cutting the weeds that have gone dormant and dried out gives the grass a head start next spring. Plus, it's good therapy for an old retired Ag.

Shredding and tractor work in general is good therapy for most anyone.

If you have deer or certain other wildlife on the property, it would be beneficial to them to not shred between about mid-May and mid-August. And agree with previous posters - shredding is great therapy

I tried starting before the weeds went dormant and it was going to take nearly twice as long due to the tough weeds and some sort of clump grass. Third gear last spring and second gear and running hot in September.

We had so much rain in August, September looked like springtime. Shredding was definitely slow going. But any day in the field beats a day in the office!

This is Kansas. We burn. And BURN SOME MORE!

But seriously, if you have any non native grasses, like bermuda, spray the S**t out of them with glyphosate. They are worthless for native wildlife.

barnag said:

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Bottlerocket said:

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burn it

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Would LOVE to. Don't know who to contact. Will do a little research to find out.

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. USDA NRCS

Shredding will accomplish little. God never shredded

Neches21 said:

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I'm happy with the results of burning on my land. I've done it 3 times and only paid out of pocket once. I'm not sure about central TX but in my area there are at least 4 different grants that will pay for the cost of hiring an insured prescribed burn contractor. Call your county extension agent.

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Who paid the other three times?

Quote:

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Who paid the other three times?

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I've received reimbursement from the community wildfire protection grant which is primarily due to the location of my land relevant to a national forest.

There are also dollars (for my area) available through USDA EQIP and Partners for Wildlife and a couple more.

A lot of the money will depend on where your land is, what is on it, how it is used, and your management goals. There are lengthy applications for each and very specific criteria for who qualifies. Some counties or areas have lots of options and dollars available and some have very little or none.
For example, some people in Central TX near certain streams and springs may qualify for the Water Supply Enhancement Program which will pay for the removal of juniper (Cedar) from your land.

I would first call my county extension agent and USDA local contact. Also call burn contractors and foresters and ask them.