My fields were ready weeks ago but I was out of town the only dry spell we had. For weeds, I've tried a few different things. In the hay fields, I've been spraying (100 gallon rig) 2,4-D broadcast at first, now after five years just have to spot spray thistle and a few others weeds. The pastures I have been using 2,4-D but have not been getting any reduction year to year. This year I tried Grazon Next so we will see. Hopefully, it won't kill off all the clovers but put a good dent on buttercup. One of the reclaimed side hills (now fenced for pasture) the briars were 8 feet high. I bush hogged four times a year for three years and now only have a few here and there. I'm going to put some 2,4-D on it soon for broadleafs. The hay fields got about 250 lbs/acre of 70-0-70 with sulfur and the pastures got 70-0-0 with sulfur and micros. Both are looking very good and should get me to the 3-4 tons per acre I'm shooting for. I also added pelletized lime (expensive). I've been building the soils back from severe depletion by the former owner. I think this year I will finally be in the range to take soil samples and balance out.
It looks like we will have four days of dry weather, although the first two will be cooler than I like. I'm going to try a small field, probably have to ted it twice though. Besides, I like the first cut of the season to be small to work out all the machinery glitches that seem to pop up after storage (and I service before putting up at end of year). 400-500 small squares ought to work the machines good as well as these old muscles. Wish you all good hay season!
I've
Wait for the blooms ....
