Nitrogen fertilization will aid growth and improve quality. Do NOT apply in early spring. Apply 50 to 60 pounds of N in late May or early June, when the warm seasons begin to grow. Alternatively, either conventional or native legumes can be frost seeded into the stand as a source of nitrogen and to improve quality. Birdsfoot trefoil works particularly well for this.
Native legumes are expensive and can be difficult to establish.
Other native plants can add diversity and some are quite inexpensive. Such plants as black-eyed susan, yellow coneflower, or beebalm, while not contributing significantly to forage yield or quality, will add visual interest, improve wildlife habitat quality. If you re interested in seeding down a native warm season pasture, there are a number of information sources available to help you get started. Your local DNR office is a good place to start. Local NRCS offices can help and, in some cases, may have cost-sharing available.