stick with hay or go with beans

Here"s my idea; If I were to spread manure and disk up the ground real well, could I plant a Timothy/Orchard grass mix, and have it come up the next year? Or would the existing grass/ alfalfa/weeds keep it from growing. I know I can"t plant alfalfa back in, due to autotoxicity. This is clay soil, has been a hay field for 5+ years. I plan on getting a soil test in a couple weeks. What do ya"ll think; should I just fertilize the he** out of the field; fertilize, disk, plant timothy/orchardgrass into existing grasses and alfalfa; or plow it under and try the beans? Sorry for being so long winded. Rich

• hay and forage article

I thought my crop was dismal , you really need to get that soil test . I got near to 300 bails off the first cutting on 6 acres , but then it dropped to 68 and 97 . It's partly in the timing I'm learning . I get impatient waiting for grass to grow ! It might be you need to lime the heck out of it . Manure won't hurt it so do it . Take soil test first . With the price of fuel anything that needs to be applied is going to cost more today than two weeks ago . I found out Friday that applied lime is now going to be at least $12 a ton and fertilizer at least $50 an acre . UFF-DUH ! That hurt's ! Not to mention $120 for the grass seed , for 4 acres . Worst case scenario for me is a little over $600 just to seed back to all grass on 4 acres and ferilizer and lime on all 6 . All because of fuel prices . Last year fertilizer on all 6 was $180 , I didn't do lime . SO , while I'm not trying to scare you if you do this you need to make ammends with your dad so you can see the results of any expense you put into this field . Good luck ! ...Randy

I have decided I can"t do what I want on my dad"s 10 acres. Last winter, I had him talked into letting me raise some hogs. Just before I started buying supplies, he changed his mind. I"ll just say he is not a good person, especially when he is drinking, which is quite a bit. I"ve been casually looking around, talking to a few people about renting some land, no deals yet. I need to find another place to work. Get some hogs, few head of cattle, and make hay. I"ve been thinking about moving up your way to my cousins. Know a couple farmers that are allways looking for some FT help. Have to get my CDL before I do anything. Have a good one. Rich

The rotary hoe isn't a problem . They are for sale around here all the time , though at what price I don't know . I know where there is one now ( double gang ) and I could call and get his asking price tomorrow if you want me to . Let me know .

Yeah , that was my problem with the hay too , I cut too early . The alfalfa was in early bloom but the grass wasn't ready . That's why I'm going to put in an all grass mixture in this 4 acre plot . I can get 2 acres of alfalfa/grass for the coldest winter day's and grass for the rest of the time . I'll make two cuttings per cutting ( one for the 2 acres and one for the 4 acres a couple weeks later ) So 6 cuttings a year , 2 first , 2 second and 2 third , MAYBE . Clear as mud ? Pain in the but ya gotta do what ya gotta do ;') Just thinkin out load for now . ....Randy