Advice for a Newbie

[dgonza]

Total newbie here, but we live on a 20 acre ranch that we just bought within the last 6 months. My pastures have native grass. I am thinking I would like to plant coastal hay. If I were to do that what steps would I need to take to do that?...I mean the very basic steps as far as plowing fertilizing seeding etc....If you could go into detail that would be great!! Remember I am a newbie and havent done any of this before. I dont even own a tractor yet...except a riding lawnmower...lol

 

[AKfish]

Welcome to TBN. Since you're new to the farming/hay business - I'd suggest you spend some "quality" time with your local NRCS staff. They can give you recommendations on everything from land preparation to the latest seed varieties. Including seeding rates and fertilizer application amounts.

Very good investment of your time - IMO.

AKfish

 

[Tx Jim]

It's too late to sprig Coastal this year. I see a lot of people wait too late to prepare the seedbed. To get a better chance for a good stand one needs a soft,mellow seedbed that is plowed in the Fall.As AKfish stated contact your local FSA/USDA office. The sometimes offer cost share programs if the money is available. Plowing,sprigging & fertilizing is high $$$$$$$$$.

 

[dgonza]

Thanks for the replies. When I was at the USDA office a few months ago inquiring about AG Exemption, they mentioned they had someone in the office that would come out to my place, take a look and give me ideas etc.. if I wanted them to. I want to say they said the would sample the soil too. They also sell seed there. So I am going to definitely have to check into that.

TX Jim: So you would recommend plowing and planting in the fall?

Thanks again for the replies.

 

[Tx Jim]

Bermuda grass is normally sprigged from Feb to early May. As I stated the sooner the seedbed is plowed the better chance of getting a good stand. This all is determined by amt of rainfall after sprigging and quality of sprigs.

 

[bglz42]

Have you considered staying with native grass (NWSG)? I did on my little hayfields, instead of switching to bermuda. My square bale customers love it for their horses. Good for prairie critters too...

 

[RPW]

Field prep is paramount as been said. Finding someone to sprig 20 acres could be a challenge. Around here I couldn't find anybody that would do less than 25 acres. I went a seed called Texas tough. It's very drought tolerant but the first year I won't get anything while it get started.

 

[blueriver]

Some of best Bermuda was some sprigged with the old manure spreader .. Prepare the ground, break open good Bermuda bales into the manure spreader .. Scatter them with the spreader and run the disc over them... Spread some fertilize and let it come on .. As stated earlier sprig right before the rain season. In this area around February.

 

[texasjohn]

Reality time. Hay is not cost effective on a small place. Equipment cost too high to own it all for small acres. Thus must hire it done. We are in drought and planting coastal extremely dependent on both rain and fertilizer (big $$ item). Squares must be stored under cover...do you have haybarn? Rounds require 50 ish HP tractor, hay fork, and trailer to move. Stored in open, rounds deteriorate in rain, moisture comes up from below, thus has limited storage life.
What grass is already there? IF at all possible, I recommend you take care of that grass, fertilize as necessary, Weed control. Cut that for hay...may not be premium, but cow hay expensive right now and if you keep input expenses down, you may break even and have controlled weeds while understanding the cycle of growth on your land and its best use. If not in a field already, there is a reason...Almost every acre which could be put into a field has grown cotton, corn, etc at some point.

As a newbie, you will have much to learn...make friends with neighbors...ask them about how things work, costs and income streams, etc. Might find someone you can do some sort of "shares" with.

Here is a good place to hang out

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/rural-living/237303-texas-spring-summer-thread.html

 

[Bwana64]

Also, realize that coastal bermuda is a wildlife desert. It is great for cows, but there is nothing there for deer, quail, dove, etc. A deer would die of starvation if he only had coastal bermuda to eat. If it were me, I'd stick with the native grass.