Hay field Idle, What to do?

[JeffandTamara]

We have about 40 acres that the neighbor has been cutting for the last 10 yrs. Due to a health problem, he won't be able to get a second cutting this year. My question is, should I Bushhog the field this fall, or let it go till next spring when he will be able to cut again? I live in Western Kentucky, so in good years we could get 3 cuttings, but most years it is two cuts... Thanks for any ideas...

 

[sam5570]

I always bushog mine in October. it seem's to give it a boost in the spring. this was the 3rd season that we didn't need to put fertilizer on part of it. we probably have to do it all next spring. is there anyone in the area you can get to mow it for hay? I am looking at the same problem next year we been discussing it.

 

[bigbull338]

we generally just take 1 cutting a year from our meadows as it makes all the hay we need.an we let them grow till the next year an bale them again.we dont shredd them in the fall at all.

 

[bsrfarms97]

I would atleast bush hog the field. As the cut grass rots away it will atleast put some nutrients back into the ground. Kind of like mowing your yard. At first when you seed a yard it is alittle thin, then as you mow it thickens up more and more. A hay field in a small sense will do similar. Plus keeping mowed will keep down on weeds getting started in your field.

 

[OldMcDonald]

The best thing you could do for your land is to graze it. That might not be easy of course, but if you cannot get anyone to pay for the grass then at least offer free grazing to anybody that will take it. You all win, you (no cutting costs) the 40 acres (free fertiliser) and the neighbour (free grazing). No land, anywhere in the world, should be opermanently cut. It should all be grazed from time to time. Permanent cutting is just permanent monoculture.

 

[JeffandTamara]

I appreciate all the responses. I guess grazing is out, no fences. A couple of the fields are kind of weedy, so I think bushhogging makes some sense. I usually bushhog around the edges of the fields anyway just to keep the woods from overtaking the field anyway. So I think maybe that is the way to go. So the next question is when to cut it. I would like to wait till October after a couple of frosts... but that is after everything has dropped seeds including johnson grass and weeds... Not sure it that makes any difference. but if someone has some insight into this I would appreciate your input.

 

[bsrfarms97]

Actually bush hogging should be done before any of the weeds head out. This will keep any unwanted weeds from spreading seed. This could be several times a year. However if your time is very limited, I would atleast bush hog once more this year.

 

[foreman Etexas]

Have you asked around if someone else may be interested in baling it and keeping the hay