Cutting orchardgrass before a frost

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brandonm_13

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Some time back, had a friend that wanted to make a fall cutting of orchardgrass but a frost or freeze was in the forecast and he was concerned the freeze would damage the stand if he cut it for hay. I got to thinking about it the other day. Anyone experienced in this? Should he have cut it or just left it? What kind of damage, if any would you expect to see on fresh cut orchardgrass that had a frost or freeze on it?
 
I always heard last cutting should be 6 weeks before the first hard frost to minimize winter damage. Probably not a hard and fast rule, but cutting with frost in the forcast is probably risky.
 
brandonm_13":4omzcxd8 said:
Should he have cut it or just left it?
What kind of damage, if any would you expect to see on fresh cut orchard grass that had a frost or freeze on it?
Should have waited to cut it until after the hard frost.
No damage would be seen until spring.
IF he had cut 1/2 before and 1/2 after then the amount of winter kill (bare patches) difference could be easily seen.
 
brandonm_13":3ao3ieca said:
Anyone experienced in this? Should he have cut it or just left it?

Before or after the frost date - - it is a bad idea unless you are in desperate drought like straits, or you are plowing up the stand.
 

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