Creating pasture hay

GoatsRus · #1 07/28/08, 10:53 AM

We have decided to use the empty land we have for hay. My DH kept it bushogged just for looks, but I convinced him to put that use of diesel to work for us instead. He hates an unkept area, but he finally relented and said we'd let it grow and have it cut for hay. My question is this: We're in Middle TN and we won't get a fall cut, but when should be seed and fertilize for a spring cut? Does anyone know if the co-op will come out and weed and feed? We asked them when to do it and they said in the spring, so we didn't ask if they had the service, but I was thinking we should probably try to get it in shape starting in the fall. Any help is appreciated.

rambler · #2 07/28/08, 11:04 AM

How big of an area?

You mentioned pasture, and you mentioned for haying - will this be cut & baled, or will it be grazed?

If you need lime, it is best to do that as soon as you can, lime can take 6 months to do it's thing; and if your soil is very acid no other amount of fertilizer will do much good, it gets bound up to the soil by the acid.

If you need fertilizer, it is nice to do 3 year's worth of P & K before you seed. If you need N, a year's worth before planting is good (N does not store well in the soil so could leak away if you put down too much), if you plant a legume in with the grasses it will provide it's own N for several years - legumes such as clover & alfalfa produce N in their root systems.

What are you mowing now, if it is mostly good grass you might already have your hay field, don't need to plant anything?

Here in MN it works well to burn down whatever is growing with 2 applications of glyphosate (Roundup) 2 weeks apart to kill the nasty weeds, then seed in mid August to catch the fall rains, and have a good crop the following summer. Can't say for your climate....

Here is a good resource on how to grow hay: http://www.sheepscreek.com/rural/haying.html

As to the coop - you'd have to ask them. Some have a 10 acre minimum or some such, but most will work with you if you understand their busy seasons, buy other stuff from them, etc. You gotta realize the person with 500 acres is going to make them some money; traveling out to a single 3 acre plot will cost them more fuel to get there than they will make from you......

--->Paul

GoatsRus · #3 07/28/08, 11:16 AM

There's probably 10 -12 acres. It's been cut for hay once before, but it wasn't good quality. We need to weed and feed it, but the guy at the co-op said not to do it until spring. I was thinking more like a lawn - fall and spring.

Old Vet · #4 07/28/08, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoatsRus

We have decided to use the empty land we have for hay. My DH kept it bushogged just for looks, but I convinced him to put that use of diesel to work for us instead. He hates an unkept area, but he finally relented and said we'd let it grow and have it cut for hay. My question is this: We're in Middle TN and we won't get a fall cut, but when should be seed and fertilize for a spring cut? Does anyone know if the co-op will come out and weed and feed? We asked them when to do it and they said in the spring, so we didn't ask if they had the service, but I was thinking we should probably try to get it in shape starting in the fall. Any help is appreciated.

Around here even of pasture that has been grazed the people use Grasion on it . It is spread with a sprayer. If you have a pasture you may as well buy a sprayer. This will kill any brodleaf weeds and vines.

agmantoo · #5 07/28/08, 03:53 PM

What are you anticipating growing on this acreage? Your area is not much different than here is western NC. With the dry summers we have experienced it is rather risky putting a crop in for hay. The price of fertilizer also influences what is to be spent and the expected gain if any. I grow pasture that in a good climate year would produce decent grass and legume hay. It will not compete with alfalfa nor will the input costs be as great. In marginal years I can still graze the pastures and render some return. Lots of people bad mouth fescue but it works for me and once it is established is not difficult to keep. You can overseed the fescue with rye grass and get an early cutting or 2 in the spring and still have grazing during the hot months from the fescue. Throw in some frost seeded legumes and you can cut back on the nitrogen, rotational graze and distribute the manure and the purchased P and K can be held to a minimum. With the price of fuel where it is I am of the opinion that the need to become the lost cost producer is greater than ever. Remember this, it is not the amount of production but the amount of net profit that enables one to continue and go forth.

furholler · #6 07/28/08, 09:31 PM

Skip the expensive fertilizer and mob graze the land. People do the thinking, animals do the work. Is it fenced?

Beeman · #7 07/30/08, 07:09 AM

First thing to do is go to the extension office. While there getting info on your hayfield pick up a soil test box and have your soil tested. Then you'll know what to do next. Co-Op should have a fertilizer trailer/spreader they let you use if you buy bulk.

GoatsRus · #8 07/30/08, 07:46 AM

Furholler - it's not fenced.
Beeman/agmantoo - it used to be an old nursery farm. We've plowed to remove the ball holes and we had it tested a few years ago, but will test again. Since we don't have any immediate plans for the area, I thought we could at least get a cut or two of hay. We did it once and didn't get much - of course the weather hadn't been kind.

I was just wondering if people weed and feed a pasture in the fall like you do your lawn. The co-op guy told us to wait until spring, and I thought that it should be done in the fall so the spring crop will be better.

EasyDay · #9 07/30/08, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoatsRus

Furholler - it's not fenced.
Beeman/agmantoo - it used to be an old nursery farm. We've plowed to remove the ball holes and we had it tested a few years ago, but will test again. Since we don't have any immediate plans for the area, I thought we could at least get a cut or two of hay. We did it once and didn't get much - of course the weather hadn't been kind.

I was just wondering if people weed and feed a pasture in the fall like you do your lawn. The co-op guy told us to wait until spring, and I thought that it should be done in the fall so the spring crop will be better.

When you had your soil tested a few years ago, what were the test results? I'm with rambler on this. If your soil needs lime, get it in as soon as you can. Fertilizer can't work it's magic if your soil is in desparate need of lime. So, that should come first before even thinking about fertilizer and seed.

agmantoo · #10 07/30/08, 08:11 AM

I still do not understand what the crop selection is for hay you will be growing. You do need to get the PH correct regardless of the crop. Lime is tremendously cheaper than fertilizer. The approach to be taken other than the lime is crop dependent. Are you going to be satisfied with a grass only, grass with legume or a specific hay crop such a alfalfa? The cost and the work to produce these will vary.

FreeRanger · #11 07/30/08, 08:55 AM

You are getting good advice above so I won't comment on those items....but because you are looking at a small area you can try what I have found as a solution for spraying. Too small of acres and the Coop will not come, even if they come they have trouble doing a good job because they are stopping and turning too much.....but they rent a small sprayer until for pulling behind a lawn tractor for those idiots that have to have 1-5 acres of blue grass lawns. For $30 I get it for the day and use 2-D and/or Roundup in the 60 gallon tank. It has it's own small engine.