2016 Hay season started for me.

cat fever · May 1, 2016

Bigfoot62 said:
Well, I was wondering if it was time to start the 2016 Hay season thread, and I find out that I'm late to the party. (already 5 pages of posts)

I applied lime and fertilizer (chicken poop) in November. Our spring has been generally wet and mild, so I have grass that's almost waist deep. Much of the growth is "winter" grass (red rice, wild rye, etc) that I need to cut. Otherwise, it could kill the summer grasses that are underneath. If the weatherman is correct, we are supposed to get 5-6 days of sunshine this week, beginning on Tuesday. If that forecast holds, I should be baling my first cutting by this weekend.

I may look into some chicken poop for my field. I have a major egg producer 1/2 mile from my house. I think their trucks can even spread it as they drive through the field not sure though.
I think I'll be baling in a month. Alfalfa is up about 14"-16", oats are up about 8". For me it just needs to warm up. Barely gets to 65-70 degrees and another storm moves in and the temps go back down to 40-55 degrees.

Can't complain much at least it's getting watered.:thumbsup:

RPW · May 2, 2016

Looks like as soon as I can get into my fields I will get my first cutting. I've got mostly Bermuda grass mixed with some behai (SP) and it's already going to seed.

foreman Etexas · May 3, 2016

Bigfoot62 said:
Well, I was wondering if it was time to start the 2016 Hay season thread, and I find out that I'm late to the party. (already 5 pages of posts)

I applied lime and fertilizer (chicken poop) in November. Our spring has been generally wet and mild, so I have grass that's almost waist deep. Much of the growth is "winter" grass (red rice, wild rye, etc) that I need to cut. Otherwise, it could kill the summer grasses that are underneath. If the weatherman is correct, we are supposed to get 5-6 days of sunshine this week, beginning on Tuesday. If that forecast holds, I should be baling my first cutting by this weekend.

Slightly different title this time around but I am doubtful I even get mine out the barn this year. I will watch all my good friends pictures this year and pray all goes well for everyone.

RPW · May 5, 2016

Hay season has started for me. Cut 10 acres yesterday of some of the thickest Bermuda mix grass that I've ever had. In some places it was so thick that I can't get my cutter though it. What I did cut will get raked this afternoon and then I'll try and cut it again. With luck I'll Bale Saturday.

Mud Mechanik · May 8, 2016

foreman Etexas said:
Slightly different title this time around but I am doubtful I even get mine out the barn this year. I will watch all my good friends pictures this year and pray all goes well for everyone.

Bring that baler to South MS, it needs exercise!!!!

farmer2009 · May 8, 2016

Drove around some of the hay fields today. Doesn't look good but we'll see how it turns out. Looks like the chicken litter was stripped on. Hopefully start cutting in 15-25 days.

foreman Etexas · May 9, 2016

Mud Mechanik said:
Bring that baler to South MS, it needs exercise!!!!

I think may sale my hay equipment and NH TL100. Kinda on the fence about it,once I move I'm not sure if going to do hay or not,I'm also thinking of getting rid all the cows but a few I can AI for sons county show steers.

joeu235 · May 9, 2016

90 bales on 35 acres. Coastal and winter grass mix which will be kept for our cows. 2nd and 3rd cutting will be sold as horse hay. I wish it always rained here.

RPW · May 10, 2016

15 5x6 rounds off of the 10 acres. Had some I had to dump from the baler because they jammed up. Will hopefully get back into the field in a few days to finish cleaning up the leftovers which might net me about 3 more. Expecting about 10 out of the other 5 acres. This is my second year of actually producing hay.

cat fever · May 10, 2016

joeu235 said:
90 bales on 35 acres. Coastal and winter grass mix which will be kept for our cows. 2nd and 3rd cutting will be sold as horse hay. I wish it always rained here.

View attachment 467930

Your field looks great joeu235.

I spent last week in Missouri with our son. (Whiteman AF base) While we were gone it rained a lot and we got a new calf too. Here are some shots of the field and calf.