How do I make more hay?

Here are seven steps to help you produce a quality alfalfa yield:

Choose an appropriate field.
Plant the right seed variety.
Scout regularly.
Cut alfalfa at the best time.
Set yourself up for drying success.
Lean on moisture levels.
Be smart about bale storage.

How long does a hay field last?

With regular mowing and good pasture management, you will have a good field within three to four years.

Does hay grow back every year?

Planting and growing Some fields are always used to grow hay, and don’t require re-planting every year. In other cases, hay is a part of a crop rotation, where farmers plant different crops on the same field in different years.

How long after cutting hay can you bale it?

The grass should be in the early vegetative stage and not headed out, with enough growth to make mowing worthwhile. Time your mowing around the most reliable weather forecast you can find. It basically takes about three days of good weather to cure hay, which can be a challenge in late May or early June.

Are hay farms profitable?

“If you are getting $125 per ton for quality hay, you are going to see a profit of $51 per ton, or $204 per acre. “The potential is there to make some pretty good money on hay.” Brown says producers could decide to grow higher-quality hay and sell into the dairy or specialty hay markets.

Can a 100 acre farm be profitable?

What’s the matter, from farming the IT to farming the land? Yes, you can make productive use of your 100-acre. Make it a hunting ranch by planting some trees and bringing in some animals for guided tour That’d not be labor intensive, and would be more profitable than farming or ranching.

How much does it cost to plant an acre of alfalfa?

Establishment Costs. The establishment cost is the sum of cash costs for land preparation, planting, and cash overhead for establishing the alfalfa. The Total Cash Cost shown in Table 1 represents the establishment cost per acre. For this study, the cost is $966 per acre or $48,300 for the 50 acres.

How many years does alfalfa last?

Alfalfa can remain productive in stands from four to ten years or more, but as plant population declines renovation eventually becomes necessary.

Is alfalfa hard to grow?

Alfalfa is a cool-season perennial commonly grown for feeding livestock or as a cover crop and soil conditioner. Alfalfa’s extensive root system nourishes both plants and soil. The alfalfa plant has been cultivated for generations and growing alfalfa in your garden is easy.

Can you overseed alfalfa?

Most producers would probably prefer to overseed additional alfalfa into a thin stand. However, overseeding alfalfa stands over one year old with additional alfalfa seed is not recommended due to the likelihood of autotoxicity issues.

Does alfalfa need a lot of water?

Alfalfa is a high water use crop because it has a long growing season, a deep root system, and a dense mass of vegetation. Commonly cited ranges in water requirements for alfalfa are 18 to 36 inches of water per season. Alfalfa is quite tolerant of drought or extended periods without highly available water.

What is the best time of year to plant alfalfa?

summer

How deep should you seed alfalfa?

Seed alfalfa between 0.5 lb/acre and 1 lb/acre in 24 inch to 36 inch rows. It can be seeded alone or with a cover crop. Flax or cereal crops are recommended as cover crops. Seed alfalfa no deeper than ½ inch into a firm, fine seedbed.

Will Frost kill new seeding alfalfa?

At emergence, alfalfa and most winter hardy forage grass and legume seedlings have good cold tolerance. But, spring cold snaps can hurt new seedings too.

How long does it take for alfalfa to germinate?

If the alfalfa plant is given as near optimum conditions for development as possible, the risk of stand failure declines. Alfalfa seed germinates best at soil temperatures between 65-85°F. If soil temperature is 40°F, it takes alfalfa six days to germinate, but only two days at 65°F.