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Grasses, Pastures & Hay
Hay, January and Markets
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<blockquote data-quote="inyati13" data-source="post: 1213810" data-attributes="member: 17767"><p>January is moving quickly. I put out protein tubs yesterday. I started feeding hay on a regular basis this week. Up to now, the cows would walk past the hay rolls and go out in the pasture and forage. I am feeding my best hay first. The hay from my fields runs about 10% protein. The square bales are alfalfa and grass. I have not tested them but they are clearly high energy and high protein. I feed those on a select basis.</p><p></p><p>I bought 60 rolls of hay that to the eye looks good. Red clover, fescue and orchard grass. It tested 5% protein. The cows don't want to eat it. I assume it was cut too late, mis-handled at cutting, etc. Looks fair. There is some weeds but it would not take much to beat 5% so I assume it must have been poorly handled.</p><p></p><p>Here is what I have learned in my four short years:</p><p>First, The market for hay does not reflect quality. The hay that goes for 15 to 20 dollars a roll is generally poor.</p><p>Second, I will not buy hay in the future until I test it first, and set a minimum quality.</p><p>Third, if your want good hay, you better be prepared to pay a premium. Hay masters know their hay is better and the price is going to reflect that.</p><p></p><p>I am thinking forward. I am going to fertilize my hay land around mid-March. If you want quality you better feed the soil. Quality in equals quality out. I have been working on the crushed limestone applications and I have finally got good lime treated hayland. I am expecting yields and quality to go up this year if the weather cooperates.</p><p></p><p>I want to produce my own good quality hay. It takes input if you want good output. Buying hay here is a crap shoot and mostly the cheap hay is crap!</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="inyati13, post: 1213810, member: 17767"] January is moving quickly. I put out protein tubs yesterday. I started feeding hay on a regular basis this week. Up to now, the cows would walk past the hay rolls and go out in the pasture and forage. I am feeding my best hay first. The hay from my fields runs about 10% protein. The square bales are alfalfa and grass. I have not tested them but they are clearly high energy and high protein. I feed those on a select basis. I bought 60 rolls of hay that to the eye looks good. Red clover, fescue and orchard grass. It tested 5% protein. The cows don't want to eat it. I assume it was cut too late, mis-handled at cutting, etc. Looks fair. There is some weeds but it would not take much to beat 5% so I assume it must have been poorly handled. Here is what I have learned in my four short years: First, The market for hay does not reflect quality. The hay that goes for 15 to 20 dollars a roll is generally poor. Second, I will not buy hay in the future until I test it first, and set a minimum quality. Third, if your want good hay, you better be prepared to pay a premium. Hay masters know their hay is better and the price is going to reflect that. I am thinking forward. I am going to fertilize my hay land around mid-March. If you want quality you better feed the soil. Quality in equals quality out. I have been working on the crushed limestone applications and I have finally got good lime treated hayland. I am expecting yields and quality to go up this year if the weather cooperates. I want to produce my own good quality hay. It takes input if you want good output. Buying hay here is a crap shoot and mostly the cheap hay is crap! [/QUOTE]
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