Relax my friend, the gophers are there to stay! You have the perfect soil and temperature. I know it is the same as mine. Every reply with a solution to you problem will work. However, it's only temporary. They always return and you ending spending way too much all the remedies for only short...
jyoutz speaks the truth. Speaking in terms of making money, you will not win against the gopher without spending many dollars annually. It will end up being more than the hay is worth. Just keep it in pasture. Now, if you just want to beat them little rascals no matter the costs ....go get'em!
Like the guy before said...Forget trapping and baiting and all that other stuff ...the easiest and most effective way is to hook a metal exhaust flex tube to your lawn mower muffer and stick it in the gopher hole put dirt around the tube to hold in the exhaust gases ...it will do the deed!
Just slow down a little bit when you're in that tall grass it's been a while you'll be okay but a new share boat in if it's front to back that you're worried about not lining up just move the shaft a little bit it'll line up