When should you shred a hay field?

Lanse · Feb 20, 2018

Hey guys! Quick question, I'm hoping to bale a field this summer thats got some stalky (<1/2") weeds here and there on it in places. Should I brush hog this stuff or just say "nevermind" and hope it bales alright? Im afraid that I'll delay the field growing (just mixed grass) if I shred it, but I'd rather not hit this stuff with my drum mower, or have people complain about it being in their hay, later.

What would you do? Do I have anything to worry about, or should I just go for it?

flying belgian · Feb 20, 2018

I bale a lot of road ditches and they have patches of bad stuff. The way I do it is mow it all at the same time but when I'm raking I go around the bad stuff. You could also bale the bad stuff separate and take it to the hay auction. Always someone there that will give 30 cents/bale and it gets it off the field.

Andy Martin · Feb 20, 2018

It always surprised me how the weeds seemed to disappear into the hay. If there is good grass the quantity of weed material is quite small and don't do much to the overall crop.

But if you have poisonous weeds you need to get rid of them before feeding to a million dollar race horse. Which they all are after they die from your hay.

I would not shred it. However you won't lose much if any hay volume by shredding now.

JD Seller · Feb 20, 2018

Lanse I would say your too late for this hay season. I mow mine if needed in the fall after the grass goes dormant.

farmerwithmutt · Feb 21, 2018

One option i used was pull the harrow through the old dry stuff would break up and not hurt the green new grass.If you leave the old growth it will mix in .If its grass cut as early as possible then you will have clean stands to follow.

Brendon Warren · Feb 21, 2018

I'd just wait and mow it and bale it early before the weeds go to seed. You'll be surprised how good it will look in a bale.

Bill VA · Feb 21, 2018

Bush hog it now, close as possible. When it starts greening up, fertilize. Hit it with 2,4-d for the weeds and make hay. Cut early as possible for the first cut to get the thatch and twigs off the field, hit the field with nitrogen after each cutting and take a 2nd and 3rd cutting. Sell all of what it is to generate revenue for fall replanting and to sea trial you and your equipment.

showcrop · Feb 21, 2018

I agree with most of the others about just watch for it when raking. In addition though, make sure that your pH and fertility are good and your grass should come back and shade the weeds out.

James Howell · Feb 21, 2018

"[b:654c4848f0][i:654c4848f0]Do I have anything to worry about[/i:654c4848f0][/b:654c4848f0]"

Shredding weeds is not an effective method of eliminating them from your hay field.

"[b:654c4848f0][i:654c4848f0]should I just go for it?[/i:654c4848f0][/b:654c4848f0]"

If the quality and quantity of your hay production does not matter to you, then go for it.

"[b:654c4848f0][i:654c4848f0]What would you do?[/i:654c4848f0][/b:654c4848f0]"

One very effective method of weed control is to spray your hay field with a broad leaf herbicide.

We spray all of our fields with <a href="http://www.dowagro.com/en-us/range/products/grazonnext-hl">GrazonNext</a> in early Spring and once again after the first cutting.

After several years of spraying, our hay production has increased and the bales are literally weed free.

Hope this helps.

Leroy · Feb 21, 2018

Are they old groth dead from last year or green growing weeds. So was it mowed last year or never mowed? How much trash is there now? Then what type of weed, poisious or not? If not will they cure with the hay when mowerd? All questions you have not answered that make a big difference. Difference if good only for erosion coverage or feed? I don'y know Texas so do those weeds winter kill like here in Ohio?

IanC · Feb 21, 2018

If it is a new to you field I'd go through it with something. Whole lot better to hit an abandoned bicycle with a brush hog than your MoCo (don't ask how I know).

When should you shred a hay field?

Lanse

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flying belgian

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Andy Martin

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JD Seller

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farmerwithmutt

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Brendon Warren

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Bill VA

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showcrop

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James Howell

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Leroy

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IanC

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