Cutting a hay field

[moday]

How late is too late to cut a field for hay? We have five acres that is a grass/clover mix. It's about 2 ft tall, with sporadic stems approaching 4 ft. I'm waiting on a guy to cut it and he's busy this week. I'm in SE michigan, and it's been cool and lots of rain the past month. The farmer I've lined up had to leave town for a week. He hopes next week will fit me in. He claims that it will be ok for another couple weeks. He said that some people wait until August. My goal was one cutting, maybe two at the most (depending on his availability). Feed was for sheep/goats/horses. No alfalfa in the field. I worry about it becoming too course and losing all it's seed. How will that affect the quality for animal consumption?

Thanks, K

[Michael W. Smith]

You're afraid of losing it's SEED?!? Good hay hasn't gone to seed - it should just be in flower.

Most fields that are cut for hay are cut at least twice, sometimes a third or even fourth cutting is possible. While what you get will be hay - the nutritional value will have decreased quite a bit from what it was when it was in flower. Good enough for cows and goats - questionable for horse food though.

[Mysticdream44]

Our neighbor just cut and baled his big field next to us last week We have also had lots of rain. We had 1 of the rainest June's on record.

[Old Vet]

Originally Posted by moday

How late is too late to cut a field for hay?
Thanks, K

After the first snow. Before then you will have some hay but it may not be as good as you might suspect. You can cut hay after the grass is as big as you want and you can cut two times per year. But it is too late after the first snow because it will not dry until spring.

[NWMO]

past the "flowering" stage. We have about 15 acres of "hay ground." It is still not cut and is past its prime. But I have finally found someone to cut it on shares for me, so I am working under his time frame. Over the past three years, with fuel prices going higher, it was quite an expense to have it cut and baled. It will still make good hay and will carry the cows through the winter.

We have been at the mercy of the rainy weather too! I wish I had my own equipment to cut and bale my own! Maybe someday!

[FarmboyBill]

Here in NE Okla, We get one cutting, one good cutting. A VERY few people who are extreamly short on hay will try to get another, but with the price of gas, 99% of ranchers opt to buy hay if they need it, or sell excess stock to get them by rather than to spend the gas, and wear and tear on equipment. Actually, most haying equipment around here is bought before haying seasaon, and promptly brought back to sale yards after haying is over. Ranchers here think its unsightly to have a yard full of the equipment they may need

[clovis]

Moday,

Where are you located?

What are you paying per bale to have it cut, wind rowed and baled?

What is the cost of hay in your area?

[Joshie]

Ours finally got cut today. We're gonna sell it just to make even on it. It's going to be sold as cow hay because it's way past its prime at this point. Hopefully, we'll get another two cuttings on it so that we can get some good hay.

[Ross]

Yeah its losing quality but at any stage it'll be better than a feeder fulla snowballs. Plan on a bit more grain suppliments including a higher protein. We picked up a discbine last fall, it's still waiting for a little sunshine.

[ronbre]

yeah i was going to say, cut it before it goest to seed..but that isn't going to happen..in N mi we already have seed in our fields..should have been able to get at least 2 cuttings and maybe 3 out of the field..too bad..now it might not be worth the cutting..but at least if you cut it now it might grow up for a decent fall cutting??

[Oldcountryboy]

Originally Posted by FarmBoyBill

Here in NE Okla, We get one cutting, one good cutting. A VERY few people who are extreamly short on hay will try to get another, but with the price of gas, 99% of ranchers opt to buy hay if they need it, or sell excess stock to get them by rather than to spend the gas, and wear and tear on equipment. Actually, most haying equipment around here is bought before haying seasaon, and promptly brought back to sale yards after haying is over. Ranchers here think its unsightly to have a yard full of the equipment they may need

Wow, I dont know just what part of NE. Oklahoma you are at but here in my part of N.E. Oklahoma most ranchers try to get 3 cuttings per summer and they keep their haying equipment all year long. 1st cutting about 1st of June, 2nd about 1st of August, and hope for a 3 rd cutting before the first frost arrives.

[7thswan]

Cut it ASAP so you can get a second cutting.