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Plant as soon as possible in order to prepare a good seedbed. Timely planting in April allows forage seedlings the best opportunity to get ahead of weeds and to be established before summer stress sets in. 4. Plant into a good seedbed, and don’t overwork the soil.
When should I plant 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 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.
How long does it take to plant hay?
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. Alfalfa, which is a herbaceous perennial legume, originated near Iran . It has a high mineral content and contains at least 10 different vitamins.
How do you seed a new 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?.
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.
When should I plant alfalfa seeds?
If you have land available for alfalfa in late summer, optimal seeding dates are July 15 through August in the Upper Midwest; closer to July 15 for northernmost regions. For growers in warmer climates, seeding into early September is acceptable.
Can you plant hay in the spring?
April is one of the two preferred times to plant cool-season perennial forages. If planting alfalfa and soil pH is not at least 6.5, the best option may be to apply lime now and delay establishing alfalfa until late summer. An annual grass forage can be planted in the interim.
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.
Can you plant alfalfa without tilling?
Conventionally seeded alfalfa can be seeded in both the spring and fall. With no-till, experience has shown that spring seedings are best. Sclerotinia crown rot can be a major problem with fall-seeded alfalfa, but its greatest potential for damage is with no- till alfalfa.
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.
Do you have to replant hay every year?
Some fields are always used to grow hay, and don’t require re-planting every year. In other cases, hay is a part of a crop rotation, where farmers plant different crops on the same field in different years. Hayseed can be a mixture of many types of seeds, with alfalfa, clover, and timothy being among the most common.
Can you plant hay in June?
Better Late than Never: Hay and Forage Crops For Late Season Planting. Is it too late to plant a crop for hay? “It’s usually best practice to try to plant warm seasons from June to about the third week of July,” Bauder said. “I usually suggest people don’t plant any warm seasons past August 1.
Can you put too much hay on grass seed?
Applying an excessively thick layer of straw over your newly-seeded lawn will inhibit seed growth by preventing much-needed sunlight from reaching the soil. For improved grass seed germination, ensure that the layer of straw that you apply over your newly-seeded lawn is no more than three inches thick.
Should I rake up straw after seeding?
Straw may contain a few seeds but not nearly as many as hay. The straw should not be removed before the first mowing, when the grass is two- to three-inches tall. If the mulch is thick or unevenly spread, it can best be removed with a garden fork, gently lifting the material up without disturbing the new grass.
How many times a year is hay harvested?
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.
How many acres of hay do you need to make a living?
Average yield of hay per acre is 2.44 tons. That means a cow/calf pair needs the production of 2.7 acres planted hay to eat for a year.
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 rejuvenate 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.
