The Grass Doctor

what is the best type of grass seed to plant for a pasture.?

I've got pretty good pasture now but since I put a horse on it and plan to get a couple more I want to make sure I have a good stand of grass . What grows well in southeast Mo. area. Thanks

Public Comments

1. Bermuda grass grows where you are and is good for horses. If its not too hot or dry there, blue grass, and timothy are great. You should check with your county agricultural extension agent for specific local soil and growing condition suggestions.
2. Bermuda grass is really good for horses but make sure they don't have too much or they will get laminitis !
3. Rye grass is extremely easy to grow and can thrive in cold and dry conditions. Good for horses and other livestock.
4. Alfalfa. I don't know. What ever grass is growing in my pastures seems to be working.
5. Look up Missouri Southern Seed in Rolla, Mo. Call them and ask them about their seed. I have used them before, very,very good seed. Plus thay know what goes good in different areas. They have dealers all over. Good luck!
6. My aunt is the lawn and garden specialist at our local feed store. she has always helped us keep our pasture in maximum condition for our horses. Unless you are planning on having a bunch of breeding stock fescue is good for the summer spring and early fall. Fescue comes up when the wheathe ris hot. If you have a lot of trees in the pasture or shade trees scattered sporatically you will want a fescue blend as just plain fescue does well in full sun and not so well in shade. fescue vlends have regular KY 31 , creeping red (which is the shade tolerant variety) and 3 other types. for fall and winter you want a rye grass. You can mix the fescue with the rye and as one is dying out the other comes in. The only problem is unless you buy the perrinial rye grass you have to re show that yearly. Timothy , bermuda and orchard are also good seed to mix in for a nice lush horse pasture. You can add some clover but not too much. i wouldn't reccomend sowing alfalfa for pasture as it is so high in protein it could easily cause a horse to colic or founder. Most farm stores that sell grass seed also have a "horse Mate Pasture Mix (atleast this is what it is calle dat her store) Earlier I had said you needed to stay away from all fescue if you planne don having breeding stock and her is why. Fescue has an endophyte in it that if ingested by pregnant mares can cause numerous things to happen. Dummy foals, a thickened placenta , foal absorbition or abortion and little to no milk bag. IF you do plan on having breeding stock and sow with fescue seed make sure to pull the mare off the grass atleast 3 months before she foals and feed a good high quality hay such as prarie grass , bermuda or alfalfa hay to supplement her forage and fiber intake. Hope all this helped. if you need to I can get you in contact with my aunt and she'll be glad to explain it more indepth.