feedjake
Bronze Member
So... Here is my (small) thought.
I know there are lots of factors to consider, weeds, drainage, soil pH, moisture hard pan etc. etc...
Not to mention considering the cost, of work, time, and money.
I'm just sticking my green-horn neck out there to get chopped I'm sure, but my goal would be to perhaps get a few bales out for my goats the first year.
Then perhaps to have enough to supply my goat operation fully the next, and perhaps have a few bales to sell along side.
- Find a small piece of land (1-2 acres) that's in decent condition for hay.
- Have an agreement with the land owner.
- Rent/borrow a tractor and plow said field at the right time. (Might be looking at spring planting at this late point. or late summer next year)
- Add manure and compost from my dairy goats, and perhaps manure from other local farms that I can get my hands on.
- Spread the seed in season by walking with a simple hand-cranked spreader across the soil.
- Borrow/rent a tractor (or a horse) and this time simply pull some type of harrow/log to get the seed a couple inches in the soil.
- Come harvest time, I've got a little 40" gas powered, self propelled sickle mower that I could use to cut the hay.
- Baling is a problem I have not yet solved. Don't have a baler. I wonder if there is some really old fashioned type of hand baler.
I know there are lots of factors to consider, weeds, drainage, soil pH, moisture hard pan etc. etc...
Not to mention considering the cost, of work, time, and money.
I'm just sticking my green-horn neck out there to get chopped I'm sure, but my goal would be to perhaps get a few bales out for my goats the first year.
Then perhaps to have enough to supply my goat operation fully the next, and perhaps have a few bales to sell along side.