Taylor Lenard, PAg, Range Management Extension Specialist, Tisdale
March 2026
Tame forage rejuvenation is a multi-year process that involves both time and financial commitments. Rejuvenation can be accomplished through many avenues but for the purpose of this article we will be discussing breaking up your old stand and reseeding it to new forage. Make sure you are prepared by considering the following steps the year prior to rejuvenation to lower your risk and increase your rate of success.
Assess Your Stand
- Does your stand need a break and reseed or does it require a less invasive form of rejuvenation?
- Compare desirable species to undesirable; is there an abundance of invasive species, poisonous plants, etc. you wish to get rid of?
- Less than 50 per cent desirable species? It’s most likely time to reseed.
- Do you have large areas of bare ground or erosion decreasing your forage production?
- Check out Table 1. In the Initial Stocking Rate Recommendations for Seeded Pastures in Saskatchewan to determine the condition of your pasture.
Soil Test
- Know what you have, so you know what you need. Application of fertilizer may benefit your new stand’s ability to germinate, establish and increase yield.
- This is a great time to address nutrient deficiencies and pH level concerns.
Check Soil Moisture
- Does your area of the province regularly receive adequate moisture? Inadequate moisture is the most common reason for failed establishment.
- Although we cannot control the weather, it is important to consider the previous year’s moisture levels as well as the predicted moisture levels for the year of seeding.
Check Forage Inventory
- Do you have enough forage available to cover you for a few years if your stand fails to establish right away? Delayed or failed establishment may require purchasing extra hay, renting additional hay acres, etc.
- It is not recommended to rejuvenate more than 1/3 of your forage acres in a year.
Check for Weeds and Disease
- If your stand has a lot of weed or disease issues, you may need to consider putting it into annual crop for a year or two.
- Once your stand is established it is a lot harder to deal with these issues, especially in a mixed stand because herbicide options are limited.
Secure Your Seed
- One of the easiest steps you can take is to lock up a good quality seed mix before you start working up your land.
- Spending a bit of extra money on certified or tested seed lets you know what you’re bringing onto your farm (weed seeds), improve germination and increase your return on investment.
- If there is no seed, there is no feed.
Breaking and reseeding can be risky as it is a costly and time-consuming undertaking so hedge your bets with the steps provided above to minimize the risk involved.
For more information, contact your local range management extension specialist or call the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377.