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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 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 soil is best for hay?
Plant your grass or alfalfa in a nitrogen-rich soil. Hay grows best in soil with plenty of organic matter. Test the soil’s nitrogen content with a home soil test kit and, if low, mix it with a nitrogen-rich compost. You can buy home soil test kits from some plant nurseries or agricultural supply stores.
What is the easiest hay to grow?
Alfalfa, clover and fescue grasses are popular hay types, as well as brome and timothy grasses. Oats and millet can also be useful for hay crops. The best hay to raise will depend not only on growing conditions, but also on the livestock that will eventually eat the hay and what their feed preferences may be.
How do you reseed 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.
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.
What is best fertilizer for hay field?
For every ton of legume or tall grass hay harvested from a hayfield roughly 50 pounds of potassium and 13 pounds of phosphorus is removed from the soil. The ideal ratio of fertilizer for this type of hay-producing field would be one part phosphorus to four parts potassium.
What fertilizer is best for hay?
Commonly used N fertilizers for grass hay production include urea, or ammonium sulfate. Urea, with 46% N, is the most concentrated commercial source but must be applied shortly before rain or irrigation to prevent significant loss of the N to the atmosphere as volatile ammonia.
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.
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.
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.
What do you plant hay with?
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.
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.
How do you increase yield of hay?
Fertilize and lime according to soil test. A balanced fertility program is essential for optimizing hay production. Phosphorus, potassium, and lime should be applied according to soil test results. Avoid using “complete” fertilizers such as 10-10-10.
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.
How do you plant alfalfa hay fields?
Here are my five tips for successfully seeding your alfalfa fields. Perform a soil test. It’s important to know your soil’s pH, potassium and phosphorous levels. Control seeding depth. Plant alfalfa seeds three-eighths of an inch below the soil surface. Check herbicide carryover. Control weeds. Try a new variety.
How do you manage a hay field?
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 long does a hay field last?
Depending on the type of grasses and legumes planted, some hayfields that are properly managed will last five or six years before they need to be worked up and replanted. They also help keep valuable nutrients in the topsoil where they are available for future crop use.
How do you get rid of wild carrots in hay field?
Here are some tips on getting rid of wild carrots in the garden: Hand-pull plants before they flower. Try not to leave small pieces of root in the soil. Till or dig the soil regularly to prevent young sprouts from taking roots. Use herbicides only when other means of control are ineffective.
