Hay and fertilizer questions

UnlistMe
Gather App
Inventry
A

arkcowman

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 11, 2005
Messages
115
City & State/Province
Independence, Mississippi
Two questions :

(1) How long should I keep cows off a pasture once it has been fertilized ?

(2) Is there a significant difference in the protein/nutrient quality of hay 1st cut of the seaons vs. last cut of the season ?
 
arkcowman":3zw8ugxm said:
Two questions :

(1) How long should I keep cows off a pasture once it has been fertilized ?

(2) Is there a significant difference in the protein/nutrient quality of hay 1st cut of the seaons vs. last cut of the season ?
Click to expand...
Should be no need to keep Cattle off fertilized pastures. I fertilize with the Cattle grazing, there's no harm to be done.

We have some Hay customers that prefer 1st Cutting Hay over second Cutting. I dont see much of a difference myself, and as long as the Hay fields are maintained and fertilized, protein contents should be the same.
 
The Stage of the hay when you cut has more influence on nutrient quallity than which cutting. Mixed hay the early cuttings are harder to get good quallity because the grasses are ready to cut before the legumes. Also the weather is more of a factor with early cuttings.
 
Everyone said about the same thing I'd reply except that if I were applying a liquid fertilizer with weed killer or high uretha, I'd hold the cows off of it until it rained.

If you cut hay when the grass is healthy and in growth, it will have nutrional value. 2nd cuttings typically have less weed. Cut when its too high and you get alot of stem. Good quality hay is mostly leafy; and not too much stem.

If you can keep it out of the weather, it holds nutrition for an amazingly long time too.

If the last cutting of the year you are referring to is after the "grass" has gone dormant, it won't have much nutritional value. Cut it while it is still growing.

There are many factors, and a lot of advice will go with the type of pasture/grass/forage you are baling. Best thing is to find you an old timer in that area who has experience. Watch the weather too.
 

Latest posts

Back
Top