For a first timer in haying

[southerndeere]

Now would be the time to get a soil sample. Well..., when it thaws anyway... I really like to spread the fertilizer on, if needed after first cutting. I made the mistake of putting it on in April. about 10 years ago. It rained until the second week of June here. I had to run the IH 656 in 1rst gear, and low side of the T/A. Not because of lack of power, but just so the MoCo would take the amount of grass going through it. I had 36" long ( I say long, because it fell over) Red Clover, and 9" tops on the Timothy. It was perfect timing on the Timothy, as it had just come out of the sheath, and some partially still in. I got 38, 580 lb. round bales off of 5 acres. Not bad, LOL...

I slit seeded in some Tuukka Timothy last year. It did good for the first year, but this year should tell the tale. Supposed to produce close to 110% more than the old standard Climax Timothy... Keeping my fingers crossed it does..!!

Wish I could say I haven't been there done that lol. U def learn something new every year.

 

[DJ54]

And forgot to mention, the Rye Grass was as tall as the fenders on the 656, which are a bit taller than me, and I'm 5'-8". Some, the reel literally pulled out by the roots before the cutter bar got to it... Never again... Live & learn...

 

[DaveOmak]

As it was mentioned previously, take a soil sample... the first cutting will take care of the weed growth... fertilize after the first cutting.... It was explained to me, the forage has had all winter to absorb nutrients from the soil and is healthy... the second and subsequent cuttings is what needs the nutrients.... seems to work for me...

 

[jerry shannon]

Now would be the time to get a soil sample. Well..., when it thaws anyway... I really like to spread the fertilizer on, if needed after first cutting. I made the mistake of putting it on in April. about 10 years ago. It rained until the second week of June here. I had to run the IH 656 in 1rst gear, and low side of the T/A. Not because of lack of power, but just so the MoCo would take the amount of grass going through it. I had 36" long ( I say long, because it fell over) Red Clover, and 9" tops on the Timothy. It was perfect timing on the Timothy, as it had just come out of the sheath, and some partially still in. I got 38, 580 lb. round bales off of 5 acres. Not bad, LOL...

I slit seeded in some Tuukka Timothy last year. It did good for the first year, but this year should tell the tale. Supposed to produce close to 110% more than the old standard Climax Timothy... Keeping my fingers crossed it does..!!

Good Luck. My 22 acre field was seeded last April. A new field. Only cut once in the fall. 60% weeds in my estimation. Once cut, I left allot of it on the field to rot down. After the cutting the grass really took off and the field finished off the year looking real good to this amateur. This spring will tell the tale.

 

[jerry shannon]

As it was mentioned previously, take a soil sample... the first cutting will take care of the weed growth... fertilize after the first cutting.... It was explained to me, the forage has had all winter to absorb nutrients from the soil and is healthy... the second and subsequent cuttings is what needs the nutrients.... seems to work for me...

Makes sense and thank you daveomak. Curious, what do you fertilize with? Spray? I have a Grain Elevator and Coop about 15 miles away and they rent out tanks. Do you just ask them what to use for a hay field? I am using the hay for my horses and it is grass hay and alfalfa. A 60/40 mix.

 

[jerry shannon]

My horse hay is right at about 60% rye grass, & the rest alfalfa & red clover. I use an old IH 990 MoCo, also have a tedder, IH #9 rake & JD 335 round baler. In my particular case, the grass dry's slower than the alfalfa & clover. With the weather here, the MoCo & tedder sure does help things.

A guy I worked with did custom baling, and told me the secret to NOT knocking the leaves off the alfalfa & clover is to do it while the dew is still on. My rye grass is so heavy, I normally ted it twice. I start about 9:00 a.m. here, and it seems to work well. I may get 10% leaf loss on the second day. but better than just ending up with stems.

Thank you DJ54. I have heard that as well. Wish there was a book on all of the great information all of you have shared. types of equipment and their strengths and weaknesses, methods by regions, tricks and helpful shortcuts. Next to that this forum is right up there. Thank you everyone.

 

[bucktaker]

take the soil sample and let the coop determine the amount and type of fertlizer.... most likely dry and they can either spread it or loan/rent you a spreader trailer.

I would recommend having you neighbor or another do this as the investment in good equipment as well as having the time when the weather and hay is ready is the hardest part. I gave up square baling as it was too hard to coordinate the time off my job, good weather, mechanical breakdowns and in my case no help.
Still have the john deere baler 24T New idea rake and a few wagons but should sell them this year.

 

[DaveOmak]

Makes sense and thank you daveomak. Curious, what do you fertilize with? Spray? I have a Grain Elevator and Coop about 15 miles away and they rent out tanks. Do you just ask them what to use for a hay field? I am using the hay for my horses and it is grass hay and alfalfa. A 60/40 mix.

I have a "cone" spreader and use granular/pelletized fertilizer... I take soil samples in the spring, before the first cutting, get the analysis done and purchase the fertilizer so as soon as the crop is harvested, I water, then apply the fertilizer after the first watering.....
My Ag supply sends in the soil for analysis and calculates the rates I need..... I really pays to get friendly with those folks for a good working relationship... Find the small guy and support his business if you can.... I buy small amounts of fertilizer for my place... I shovel it into buckets and weigh it... When you buy 30#'s of a boron complex, most places will laugh at you like they don't want to bother.... My 2 fields are weighed individually for individual application because fields are not always the same when it comes to fertilizer... It's a PITA but when you are a small farmer stuff needs to be done to suit your needs... You should get the same treatment as the 2,000 acre guy... I bring buckets, bags and a small electronic scale to weigh my stuff out..... Go out of my way to thank the folks for taking care of me..... Stop in and drop off cherries, garlic etc. for the owner... When the second harvest was ready to cut, I took in some alfalfa stems with leaves larger than my thumb nail and thanked him for making sure I had a great crop...

 

[jerry shannon]

I have a "cone" spreader and use granular/pelletized fertilizer... I take soil samples in the spring, before the first cutting, get the analysis done and purchase the fertilizer so as soon as the crop is harvested, I water, then apply the fertilizer after the first watering.....
My Ag supply sends in the soil for analysis and calculates the rates I need..... I really pays to get friendly with those folks for a good working relationship... Find the small guy and support his business if you can.... I buy small amounts of fertilizer for my place... I shovel it into buckets and weigh it... When you buy 30#'s of a boron complex, most places will laugh at you like they don't want to bother.... My 2 fields are weighed individually for individual application because fields are not always the same when it comes to fertilizer... It's a PITA but when you are a small farmer stuff needs to be done to suit your needs... You should get the same treatment as the 2,000 acre guy... I bring buckets, bags and a small electronic scale to weigh my stuff out..... Go out of my way to thank the folks for taking care of me..... Stop in and drop off cherries, garlic etc. for the owner... When the second harvest was ready to cut, I took in some alfalfa stems with leaves larger than my thumb nail and thanked him for making sure I had a great crop...

Good advise. I agree with you 100% on the small guys. I work that way as well. I am very thankful for any help I can get and that includes advise. I always thank them and have brought in little goodies as well. I like your style.