Alfalfa field

[TGF]

Not sure which forum this should go in, so sorry in advance if I picked wrong.

The farmer up the street from me normally hays my alfalfa field for me, and he is currently going through cancer treatments and is completely down for the count. He had another farmer that was going to do it for him and the guy complete bailed on him. The first couple cuts of alfalfa are usually the worse cuts, they are sticky and not too sweet. Its the 4th 5th and even 6th cuts that are good. I was wondering if I were to go out and just hit it with the rotary cutter and leave it lie would that kill the alfalfa or stop it from coming back? I want to help this guy out but unfortunately I don't know any other hayer's nor do I come anywhere close to a big enough tractor to pull his baler.

 

[zzvyb6]

You are not going to kill the alfalfa plants by cutting it down. I'm not sure why you would want to though. It will still grow and increase the yield of the next cutting no matter when its done. If it goes to seed the seeds ought to help replenish the field.

If you have some tractor savy at all, ask him to teach you to run his equipment. Its a rewarding experience to help him out and will be a benefit to his treatment by keeping a good positive attitude. I'll warn you though, haying is a habit forming disease. It's caused by the aroma of freshly cut alfalfa. You'll both get a kick out of it. If his tractor is that big, there's room for 2 in the cab.

One hand washes the other.