Rejuvinating a hayfield

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Timothy is classified as a short lived perennial, over time the crowns do decline and die out. Consistantly, I have seen the same things you are observing, thinning stands and declining yields. Lime has never been the problem for me in timothy, potassium has (just figured it out this year when I added wheat to the rotation which shows very observable signs of K defieciency). I normally expect 5 years of production out of timothy fields which are properly managed. Maximum yields in years 2-4 with year 5 yields at 50% of year 1.

Notill is the only system I've used for many years. Make sure to spend the time needed to adjust and calibrate the drill. As a rule, I have found Haybuster brand drills to be easier to accurately calibrate than Tye.

To grow plants need NPK + trace mineral, sunshine and water; kick in a little dirt for a medium; maybe a little lime (as you said) for acid soils to put the ph in the center so all that good stuff gets digested.

It's amazing what a soil test and subsequent fertilization for the desired tonnage will do to a tired field.

I have one that was neglected for 25 yrs that I know of. Seriously, it wouldn't even grow weeds. I plowed it aggressively, let it lay by and planted this spring with an aggressive fertilization with trace minerals and all. Lo and behold I have a field of vigorously growing coastal bermuda in my sudan. Twasn' there before; or was it?

Mark