Horsemaster

Product Description

Horsemaster is a premium grass seed pasture mixture. Barenbrug’s agronomists have developed this mixture to withstand the grazing and traffic pressure of horses while providing the forage your horse requires. Barenbrug plant breeders have developed modern grass varieties with a low growing point to tolerate the close, continuous grazing patterns of horses. Barenbrug grasses have a high feed value and adequate fiber to maintain animal health and meet the nutrient requirements of a horse. Horsemaster is specially formulated with improved varieties of endophyte-free, soft-leaved tall fescue, orchardgrass, timothy, Kentucky bluegrass, and perennial ryegrass. The complementary mixture is rapid to establish, persistent, palatable, and an excellent source of digestible fiber.

• Selected for close grazing
• Can take lots of traffic
• Endophyte free

Pasture Mixes

Using pasture mixes on your farm is a smart move. They’re versatile and more forgiving to adverse soil and climate conditions than monocultures. Mixes usually provide better nutrition and yield across the growing season. However, pastures need good management to be able to optimize the potential. Regular mowing and fertilizing are just as important as rotational grazing in maintaining a proper pasture balance.

Establishment

An early fall planting is best seeding or drilled 1/4 inch deep into a well prepared seed bed. Full cultivation seed rate of 25 lbs/Acre, when mixed planting with alfalfa 10-12 lbs/Acre, when planting intno existing alfalfa 12-15 lbs/Acre. Haymaster may be planted in spring or fall. In areas with extreme summers, fall seeding is recommended. A well-prepared, firm seedbed is ideal for seeding. Haymaster can also be no-till drilled into an existing alfalfa stand. If a seeder or drill is not available, the seed can be broadcast and rolled firm with a cultipacker. Make sure weeds are controlled before establishment. Spring planting is possible but competition must be suppressed. Most of the upper Midwest is Spring planted.

Management

Use the equivalent of about 40 pounds of N to kick-start the seedlings. Clip the pasture when the seedlings are about 6 to 8 inches high to encourage density. Do not graze until firmly rooted. Rotational grazing is best to promote persistence. Manure or fertilizer in the fall will help with winterhardiness.

Horsemaster Tech Sheet