Table of Contents
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 ground for planting 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.
Is hay hard to grow?
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.
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.
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 do I start a hay field?
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?.
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.
How fast does hay grow?
Grass will grow slightly faster in cooler weather than the legumes, such as alfalfa. Alfalfa grows best when the temperatures are hot. It typically takes approximately 60 days for new growth of alfalfa, 60 for mix hay, 60 for orchard grass, and 75-80 for timothy in Lincoln County.
How many times a year can you cut hay?
In most areas of the country, grass hay can be cut twice, sometimes three times, per year. The first cutting generally has the largest yield. Some animals, like sheep, prefer the tender stems of second or third cutting hay.
Is it worth it to grow hay?
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.
Is planting hay good for the soil?
Haying prevents the establishment of woody plants that you would otherwise need to control in fallow fields. As part of a rotation, a legume/grass pasture will contribute nutrients and organic matter to the soil. You can graze livestock on your pasture as well as cut it for hay.
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.
How often does alfalfa need to be replanted?
Recommended intervals of six or twelve months were most frequently reported, but the range was two weeks to 24 months. Many respondents commented that their most common recommendation was to reseed alfalfa after rotation with a non-legume crop grown for one or more seasons.
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.
What irrigation is best for alfalfa?
Because alfalfa is able to utilize nearly all of the water applied to its root zone, drip irrigation is the ideal method for meeting the crops watering demands.
What is the best way to overseed a hay field?
Overseeding involves using a seed drill or cultipack seeder to sow seed during the growing season in an attempt to improve the composition of a pasture or hayfield. Simply broadcasting seed over the field usually gives poor results. Use a seeder to deposit the seed below the soil surface.
How long does it take for hay seed to germinate?
Generally speaking, it takes between 7 and 30 days for grass seed germination to begin. However, it’s important to know that host of factors can influence how fast your grass grows — including weather, grass type, and soil.
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.
