Written BY AKKPS Member Ethel Baker of Irish Mudd LLC

Before planting the first seed, it is essential to conduct a soil test. This test allows you to amend the soil, creating an ideal environment for your seeds to thrive. To perform a soil test, use a clean trowel to dig holes 6–8 inches deep in various locations across your pasture. Take a ½-inch slice from the side of each hole and place the samples in a clean bucket, mixing them thoroughly. Spread the mixed soil on newspaper to dry. Once dry, transfer the sample into a resealable bag and send it to a laboratory for analysis.

The laboratory will assess several key soil properties, including acidity, alkalinity, salinity, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, and sodium levels. You will receive a detailed report of these results. Soil tests can often be conducted at no cost by contacting your local County Water and Soil Department or your local Agricultural Extension office, which can also direct you to additional resources.

Once you have the results and have amended your soil accordingly, the next step is selecting the appropriate seed mix for your pasture. Several resources are available to help determine the best seed mixture. Both your County Water and Soil Department and Agricultural Extension office can offer guidance. Additionally, numerous seed companies, both in-person and online, provide assistance in selecting an ideal mix. A highly recommended seed company is Welter Seed & Honey.

Depending on your region, the pasture mix that grows best for you may vary. Many seed companies divide the U.S. into regions, and their seed mixes are designed to suit the specific growing conditions of those areas. Here is a general guideline for different regions:

• Great Lakes/New England: Orchardgrass, Kentucky Bluegrass, Alfalfa, Oats, White Clover, Forage Radish, Birdsfoot Trefoil
• Great Plains: Orchardgrass, Kentucky Bluegrass, Alfalfa, Triticale, White Clover, Red Clover, Birdsfoot Trefoil, Forage Chicory
• Intermountain West: Orchardgrass, Kentucky Bluegrass, Alfalfa, Triticale, White Clover, Red Clover, Birdsfoot Trefoil, Forage Chicory
• Mid-West/Mid-Atlantic: Kentucky Bluegrass, Alfalfa, Orchardgrass, White Clover, Triticale, Forage Radish, Field Pea, Birdsfoot Trefoil, Forage Chicory
• Pacific Northwest: Orchardgrass, Kentucky Bluegrass, Alfalfa, Barley, White Clover, Strawberry Clover, Forage Chicory, Birdsfoot Trefoil
• South-Atlantic Transitional: Orchardgrass, Kentucky Bluegrass, Alfalfa, Timothy, Hybrid Pearl Millet, White Clover, Forage Chicory, Birdsfoot Trefoil
• Southern Subtropics: Bahia, Alfalfa, Hybrid Pearl Millet, Timothy, White Clover, Red Clover, Forage Radish, Birdsfoot Trefoil
• Southwest Desert: Common Bermudagrass, Alfalfa, Triticale, Forage Radish, White Clover, Strawberry Clover, Field Pea
• Southwest Transitional: Smooth Brome, Hybrid Pearl Millet, Alfalfa, Triticale, Forage Radish, Strawberry Clover, White Clover, Sainfoin, Small Burnet, Birdsfoot Trefoil

When consulting with seed companies, it is important to note that many are not accustomed to creating mixes specifically for pasture pigs, so you may need to provide some context. Ensure you understand the difference between perennial and annual plants. KuneKune pigs, in particular, benefit from a robust mix of legumes, such as alfalfa, white clover, birdsfoot trefoil, arrowleaf clover, alsike clover, sainfoin, annual clover, and peas. If you're pressed for time, deer plot mixes, which often contain a variety of clover, can also serve as a suitable alternative.

Additionally, your mix should include brassicas, such as turnips, rape, kale, mustard, and swedes (rutabaga). These plants, part of the mustard family, help extend the grazing season into late fall or early winter. Keep in mind that brassicas are annuals and require replanting each year. Lastly, include grasses such as fescue, ryegrass, and bermudagrass in your mix.

There are several methods for planting your pasture: broadcasting the seed by hand, using a no-till pasture drill, or employing a seed spreader. The no-till drill and seed spreader methods typically require rental equipment. Your local County Water and Soil Department may offer rental options at a low cost or can provide contact information for equipment rentals. Additionally, many online resources offer tutorials on how to operate the equipment, and rental providers can often demonstrate its use.

You may also consider utilizing the frost seeding method to plant certain clovers and birdsfoot trefoil. This technique takes advantage of the natural freeze-thaw cycle of the ground during late winter or early spring to push seeds into the soil. Frost seeding is an effective way to give your pasture a head start, promoting lush grazing for your KuneKune pigs. This method also helps suppress weed growth and adds nitrogen to the soil. It can be performed annually or biennially, depending on your preferences.