picassomcp
Member
I am looking to maximize return on some hayfields. Some existing fields, and some that I will be starting from scratch on.
I have recently completed 2nd cutting on 2 fields. Very poor yields, First cutting I got 31 4x5 round bales weighing 700 lbs each between the 2 pieces, about 20 acres. 2nd cutting yielded 6. I thought 2nd cutting would have yielded more as it didn't look that bad, I was really disappointed. These are 3 & 6 year old stands, well drained fields. The fields look like there is good hay there, but when you walk out into it, the crop does look thin. If it wasn't for the clover starting to invade, I'm fearing it would have yielded even less. I'm just wondering what I could do different to maximize my return on these fields. In this case, they are rented fields, but I am working on buying a piece of land to plow under and establish into hay. What do I need to do to be sure I'm getting all I can out of these fields? I am getting small windrows behind my haybine when I see others getting huge windrows and many more bales. There's gotta be something that I can do different here.
Soil testing. applying lime and recommended fertilizers is awful expensive, however I would do it if I absolutely knew it would pay for itself and then some. I'm just sick and tired of poor yielding hay fields. It cost just the same to go over a poor yielding field as it does a high yielding piece. I am looking to grow and harvest grass type hay in Central MN. Loam and clay type soils, non-irrigated. What is a typical to be expected yield in a situation like this? and what do I need to do to achieve that?
Thaks for any advice
I have recently completed 2nd cutting on 2 fields. Very poor yields, First cutting I got 31 4x5 round bales weighing 700 lbs each between the 2 pieces, about 20 acres. 2nd cutting yielded 6. I thought 2nd cutting would have yielded more as it didn't look that bad, I was really disappointed. These are 3 & 6 year old stands, well drained fields. The fields look like there is good hay there, but when you walk out into it, the crop does look thin. If it wasn't for the clover starting to invade, I'm fearing it would have yielded even less. I'm just wondering what I could do different to maximize my return on these fields. In this case, they are rented fields, but I am working on buying a piece of land to plow under and establish into hay. What do I need to do to be sure I'm getting all I can out of these fields? I am getting small windrows behind my haybine when I see others getting huge windrows and many more bales. There's gotta be something that I can do different here.
Soil testing. applying lime and recommended fertilizers is awful expensive, however I would do it if I absolutely knew it would pay for itself and then some. I'm just sick and tired of poor yielding hay fields. It cost just the same to go over a poor yielding field as it does a high yielding piece. I am looking to grow and harvest grass type hay in Central MN. Loam and clay type soils, non-irrigated. What is a typical to be expected yield in a situation like this? and what do I need to do to achieve that?
Thaks for any advice