Wade,

It is extremely rocky where I live and any openings were covered with fescue when I started, so I understand your situation. Besides being rough on equipment, exposed rocks usually indicate the local soil has very limited organic matter and won’t hold moisture very well. This results in plots that are very susceptible to droughts. I use composted litter and have been very pleased with the results and the amount of soil that has been established in my plots, as well as the antler growth that has occurred.

There are many methods to kill fescue. I prefer to prepare good fire breaks and burn the fescue just before it greens up during the spring. A slow moving backing fire will remove the dead plants, etc. This will encourage a flush of new growth from the fescue. When the new growth is 4-6” tall, I spray with two quarts of Glyphosate per acre mixed with ammonia sulfate and a surfactant. I like a sprayer/nozzle combination that produces a small droplet size and that is calibrated to discharge about 15 gallons per acre. In some cases, a second application of Glyphosate will be required, pending on the timing of the spraying, weather conditions, etc.

I then use a no-till drill or the broadcast technique to plant. Disking will only serve to bring fescue and other weed seeds closer to the soil’s surface so they can germinate. There are many programs that will work, but these steps have proven to work very well and are relatively inexpensive compared to other processes.

Growing Deer together,

Grant