Growing Organic Hay?

[Gary Fowler]

Personally if I were buying hay, I would certainly not want hay from a non fertilized grass since the nutrition would be much lower per bale. As joeu235 says, it is almost impossible to get weed free hay without some sort of herbicide being used to control the weeds.

I think only the folks who think organic is best would be in the market for "organic hay" and around here there isn't any demand for that.

 

[joeu235]

I can definitely see why herbicide free hay could have uses. My mom can't put any of our hay in the garden as mulch since Pastora has a residual that lasts up to 3 years. Tomato plants are very susceptible.

As far as fertilizer, I don't see why anyone should care whether the nitrogen, potassium, & phosphorous came from natural gas and mined out of the earth or the back end of a chicken. It's all chemically the same. Maybe it matters while driving a Prius.

 

[scons]

The type of grass in relation to the soil you're going to seed on might be of importance too to get a decent amount of grass. A good choice could improve your quantity and quality without the need of excessive fertilising.

 

[PILOON]

Do you have organic horses? or cows?
If I recall, read somewhere that all farms on all sides of yours also had to be organic in order for yours be qualified.
Also you could not feed any corn byproducts as all corn is Monsanto sourced and that sure would not qualify what with their genetic engineering.

 

[RickB]

Do you have organic horses? or cows?
If I recall, read somewhere that all farms on all sides of yours also had to be organic in order for yours be qualified.
Also you could not feed any corn byproducts as all corn is Monsanto sourced and that sure would not qualify what with their genetic engineering.

All corn is NOT Monsanto sourced. There is a growing segment of non-GMO commodities grown, corn is the most common.

Of course Non GMO corn requires more herbicides ad pesticides than GMO corn, but nobody wants to hear that.

 

[AKfish]

All corn is NOT Monsanto sourced. There is a growing segment of non-GMO commodities grown, corn is the most common.

Of course Non GMO corn requires more herbicides ad pesticides than GMO corn, but nobody wants to hear that.

I don't consider myself a "greenie" by any means.. I have a commercial applicators license and have had one for a number of years.

That said, I don't place Roundup in the same "risk" category as say, 2-4D or Diacamba. I'll leave it at that....

Additionally, I am a strong advocate for GMO research and applications. Albeit, with significant oversight to ensure that the resulting plants, etc. do not create noxious environmental conditions after their release into wide scale production.

The promise of crop varieties with better heat stress and drought tolerance, insect resistance, etc. that could be achieved through genetic modification would be a huge benefit to the world as we all must look for ways to adapt to a changing climate.

 

[RickB]

I don't consider myself a "greenie" by any means.. I have a commercial applicators license and have had one for a number of years.

That said, I don't place Roundup in the same "risk" category as say, 2-4D or Diacamba. I'll leave it at that....

Additionally, I am a strong advocate for GMO research and applications. Albeit, with significant oversight to ensure that the resulting plants, etc. do not create noxious environmental conditions after their release into wide scale production.

The promise of crop varieties with better heat stress and drought tolerance, insect resistance, etc. that could be achieved through genetic modification would be a huge benefit to the world as we all must look for ways to adapt to a changing climate.

I absolutely agree.

 

[sammyd]

If you are thinking of going organic it would be advisable to pick a certifier now. They will tell you what is and what isn't allowed and you can use their guidance to pick your seed.
Or if you feel like rushing headlong into it, at least save the tags from your seed bags so the certfiiers will know what you planted and perhaps will allow it to be certified.
The thing to remember is that even if you plant an organic approved seed, it will take 3 years before your ground is certified and you can sell the hay as organic, unless you can sign an affidavit of use stating your land hasn't been farmed conventionally for three years prior. Had an 80 we rented that was able to go organic the first year by having the owner sign an affidavit from the certifier.

 

[sammyd]

Do you have organic horses? or cows?
If I recall, read somewhere that all farms on all sides of yours also had to be organic in order for yours be qualified.
Also you could not feed any corn byproducts as all corn is Monsanto sourced and that sure would not qualify what with their genetic engineering.

You should do a little research before you post such falsehoods.
Surrounding land does not have to be certified but you will have to observe set-backs from conventionally farmed properties.
Not all corn is Monsanto sourced, never was, and never will be.

 

[Texasmark]

They grow a lot of "organic" hay around here. Find a field that hasn't seen any equipment for 40 years, roll it up and call it hay. Sell it to the newbies.....part of their country indoctrination. Now how do you think I know that? 40 years ago I was one.