Posted by Billy NY on June 10, 2009 at 08:14:00 from (74.67.3.238):
In Reply to: late hay posted by Bill from MA on June 09, 2009 at 11:50:22:
I've seen late hay in the last few years around this area, due to the rains preventing it getting done on time, like '04 '05, '06 and it's just lesser quality for the most part. You may get another undergrowth come up through the grasses that have topped out, gone to seed and are now tan. So I think there comes a point where you may actually want that to improve the nutritional content, because you may encounter a stalky tan crop, when drying it will bleach out further horse customers will balk at it, but as long as it's been dried with no rain, most horses will still pick through it, and if in stalls the rest gets mashed into the bedding, makes for more labor to clean and sift through etc. Last year, we contracted 3000 bales from a local farmer, and he had that scenario with it being a late 1st cut, and you could see the other grasses that came up, it seemed to help, also appeared his stand was pretty decent, just the usual, weather, help etc. so it was late. What we got of 2nd cut was nice hay compared to what I have seen grown in that area, 35 miles north of where I am here, the fields don't produce like they do over here, some of the crap I have seen baled, theres a guy who literally bales what I would call 70% weeds and 30% grasses and calls it hay, golden rod, you name it, but it's funny, he bales the 1st cut real late every year, and what comes up is always grass only, just never gets tall enough to make it worth baling.
More suitable for dairy I suppose if late. If you cut that late you may still get a 2nd cutting, depends on the rain, and other variables. I have seen fields that were planted in the last few years, with real nice stands let go, some did not change much, others goldenrod and weeds started to take over.
We just lost out on a nice window of opportunity to bale, we had absolutely perfect weather for 7 days, grasses just topped out, not too stalky, but the guy I have been working with and helping out as needed was hospitalized and is not allowed to work by any means, until further notice, and even then, hard to say what is going to happen, he's got over 150 acres to bale of his own and 3 customers to bale only, + trucking of haylage.
This may turn into a dilemma, as his fields are taken care of, he's got some real nice stands of orchard and similar grasses, once that 1st cut comes off on time, like late May, to around the present + or -, the 2nd cut is just really good quality hay, the horses devour this hay, and even any loose chaff I don't waste. If it is let go and I am not sure what in heck we can do, if his son will have some time, where 2 of us can work on it, how much we can get done, weather etc. I hate seeing those fields let go, as first cut can vary widely in quality depending on when you can get it cut, but that 2nd cut quality depends on the 1st coming off on time.
We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]
Today's Featured Article - Tuning-Up Your Tractor: Plugs & Compression Testing - by Curtis Von Fange. The engine seems to run rough. In the exhaust you can hear an occasion 'poofing' sound like somethings not firing on all cylinders. Under loaded conditions the tractor seems to lack power and it belches black smoke out of the exhaust. For some reason it just doesn't want to start up without cranking and cranking the starter. All these conditions can be signals that your unit is in need of a tune up. Ok, so what is involved in a tune up? You say, swap plugs and file the points....now tha
... [Read Article]
Latest Ad:
1964 I-H 140 tractor with cultivators and sidedresser. Starts and runs good. Asking 2650. CALL RON AT 502-319-1952
[More Ads]
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy
TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.
