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Ten steps for a successful new seeding Ensure soil pH and fertility are within recommended ranges. Plant high-quality seed. Seed early. Plant into a good seedbed. Calibrate the drill or seeder. Don’t plant too deep. Use press-wheel drills in a conventionally prepared seedbed. Companion crop or not?.
How do you prepare a field to plant hay?
For hay, mow the field with a rotary mower to remove problem plants by cutting them before they set viable seed. Till to control tenacious, perennial weeds, such as bedstraw, and then seed. The best time to seed is in May or in the first three weeks of August, when seed will survive and compete with weeds better.
How is hay planted?
Hay Today. Today, the process for growing hay still involves letting the plants grow to maturity, then cutting it, letting it dry in the sun, raking it, and gathering it up in some form, whether that be round or square bales, or as loose hay.
How do you turn a field into a hay field?
Steps to renovate an old hayfield: Assess the condition of the field, your goals and your resources. Get a soil test. Mow field with a rotary mower. Lime and fertilize. Remove rocks and stumps. Till (if necessary) and seed.
What seed do you plant for hay?
Grass: Hay can be made from many types of grass, with timothy, bermudagrass and orchardgrass being common choices. Legume: Alfalfa is the dominant member of the legume family when it comes to making hay, with clover another to consider and bird’s-foot trefoil a popular choice for hayfields containing more moisture.
Does hay need a lot of water?
A ton of hay requires 4 to 5 inches of water pumped through the plant. Typically, in a three cut management system, 35-45% of the yield is produced during the first growth cycle, before July 1.
Is hay profitable to grow?
Brown says using 2019 numbers, it costs about $400 an acre to plant corn on ground that may yield 150 bushels per acre. “If you are getting $125 per ton for quality hay, you are going to see a profit of $51 per ton, or $204 per acre. “The potential is there to make some pretty good money on hay.”Apr 8, 2019.
How do you start a hay farm?
Here are seven steps to help you produce a quality alfalfa yield: Choose an appropriate field. Plant the right seed variety. Scout regularly. Cut alfalfa at the best time. Set yourself up for drying success. Lean on moisture levels. Be smart about bale storage.
Why do farmers leave hay bales in the field?
If they are scattered around the field the farmer is just waiting for a convenient time to pick them up and move them. If lined up along the edge of the field they are being stored there. Big round bales can handle being left outside, and even if the outside looks weathered the inside will be good for a year or longer.
Can you grow your own hay?
Whether you need it for livestock or other uses, growing hay at home is a cheap and easy alternative to purchasing it in bulk. Depending on your preferences, you can use grass, alfalfa, or a mixture of both to make hay. Once you’ve grown your crop, all you have to do is cut, dry, and store your hay for use as needed.
When should I overseed my hay field?
The best times for planting are late April to early May and mid- August to early September. Spring seedings are best if field conditions allow you to bring equipment on the field, but late summer seedings are better if the field is too wet to work in spring.
How hard is it to grow hay?
Commercial farms have little difficulty raising hay or sourcing out their needs, but smaller farmers and urban hobbyists can also grow, harvest and bale hay even on a smaller scale. Haying can be challenging, and some farmers simply enjoy that challenge.
When Should I spray my hay field?
should be treated before they begin to bolt (they are bolting now or very soon) and the smaller the better. (Late fall or early spring is really the best time to treat them.) And finally, control summer annual weeds as soon after they emerge as possible when they are most sensitive to chemical control.
When should hay be planted?
Then, late next winter or early spring, frost seed the hay crop into the already established wheat. The freezing and thawing of the soil pulls the small-seeded hay crop into the soil, and the wheat acts as the nurse crop.
How many pounds is alfalfa seed per acre?
Seeding rates should be between 12 and 15 pounds per acre. Prescribed seeding rates are designed to provide several times the seed needed to achieve optimal yield under ideal growing conditions.
What kind of grass makes the best hay?
Alfalfa- It is probably the best high quality feed for livestock and as a cash crop but it requires deep, well drained soils and high fertility for high yields. While it can be used for grazing, it is best adapted for hay or silage.
How is alfalfa planted?
Since alfalfa roots quickly, it doesn’t require deep planting—only about a half inch (1 cm.) deep. Merely sprinkle the seeds evenly onto the soil and cover lightly with dirt. Use about ¼ pound of seeds per 25 square feet and space rows about 18 to 24 inches (46-61 cm.).
How many years will alfalfa grow?
Perenniality—The fact that the crop grows for 4-8 years, grows quickly with warm conditions in the spring is a major advantage of alfalfa—it can utilize residual winter rainfall before irrigation is necessary.
Why do farmers plant alfalfa?
Farmers admire alfalfa for its high yield, wide adaptation, disease resistance, and excellent feeding quality to a variety of livestock. Acreage and value of producfion of the top six U.S. crops in 2018. Alfalfa hay and haylage was the third most valuable crop, behind corn and soybean.
