Just bought 70 acres - now what?

Highbeam · Jul 18, 2005

For good "hay" in the NW you actually grow alfalfa. It is like green wheat. It is a crop that takes years to get going well. It gets 5$ a bale or so.

The locals cut and bale the pasture growth around here and make "grass hay" since alfalfa and the grass that your pasture grows are entirely different. The grass hay is getting about half as much or 2.50$ per bale.

Grass hay is just a guy letting his lawn get too long. Alfalfa is an irrigated, fertilized, planted, crop for high nutrition feed. I suspect that was what the comment was about.

ford15005 · Jul 18, 2005

Must have read the same book (re: backhoeing); due to circumstances, I wasn't able to have that done for my test planting. Ended up using a post hole digger. However, the vines appear to be doing well so far. I have observed all the wild grapes seem to do fine without any preparation. What variety(s) are you planning? I planted Norton, Chardonel (grafted), Frontenac & Concord for this climate.

Redfox · Jul 18, 2005

(

Grass hay is just a guy letting his lawn get too long. Alfalfa is an irrigated, fertilized, planted, crop for high nutrition feed. I suspect that was what the comment was about. )

This would be grass hay then. Never thought something like hay could be so complicated. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Redfox · Jul 18, 2005

( Must have read the same book (re: backhoeing); due to circumstances, I wasn't able to have that done for my test planting. Ended up using a post hole digger. However, the vines appear to be doing well so far. I have observed all the wild grapes seem to do fine without any preparation. What variety(s) are you planning? I planted Norton, Chardonel (grafted), Frontenac & Concord for this climate. )

I plan to chat with the extension agent to determine suitability. Among the noble wine grapes, people grow Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot , Pinot Noir, and Reisling with some (limited?) success. A number of French-hybrids are also cultivated.

Panache · Jul 18, 2005

I think weight is the biggest difference between CUT and UT. My 5200 is a UT but only has 40 PTO HP. It is about 6,000lbs with loader. Several of the CUTs have higher HP but lower weight. Talk to some local vineyards to see what they recomend. I have found most to be very friendly to the competition, but then again I am in Alabama.

Redfox · Jul 19, 2005

What size tractor would I want to keep the pastures (60 acres or so) cut. What would be the best impliment to do it in a reasonable time?

rockyridgefarm · Jul 19, 2005

a rotary cu8tter (AKA shredder, bushhog, brushhog...)

A 6' one is the smallest, you'd want, and unless you have helpers, will be too slow. I have grazers and several operators and it does fine.

Geneally you want to avoid a 7' single spindle cutter, at that point it is best to go to a twin for 7' and 8' models. a 10'-12' would be great. But Hp requirements and prices go up very fast!!!

I considered a Bush Hog 84T but felt it would not hold up to my (ab)use...

Cowboyjg · Jul 19, 2005

sell it to me...oh wait...where is it again? Well..maybe, but it can't be too far away from Tn. Central Pa.....Hmmmm

Redfox · Jul 19, 2005

( sell it to me...oh wait...where is it again? Well..maybe, but it can't be too far away from Tn. Central Pa.....Hmmmm )

Funny, I'm trying to figure a way to convince my new neighbor to sell me his 30 acres. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif