Thinking about converting row-crop ground to pasture? Luke Jones of Understanding Ag and ILGLC's Logan Karcher share what they've each learned firsthand about building productive pasture on former cropland. They cover why going straight to perennials usually backfires, why annuals-first is the smarter path, and the soil biology reason that warm-season native grasses need extra time to establish on conventionally farmed ground.

Topics covered:

Why annuals-first is almost always the right approach on converted ground

The fungal vs. bacterial soil biology difference that affects perennial establishment

How unrolling hay over winter can jumpstart soil health on bare cropland

What to do when opportunistic plants show up before your seeding does

When to turn livestock out after seeding annuals vs. perennials