Thanks Guys. You guys are helping me out greatly, even if I get a booby ad shows up at the top of the webpage. :mrgreen:
1. I don't own the herd, other than my two heifers. That said, I don't shy away from doing what I need for them and my grandfather knows what I'm doing. This is the first time any of our hay has ever been tested only because I want to know where it is at. I would love to know what the hay tested back when my grandfather was in his prime and he fertilized and limed. My grandfather is up in age and I'm stepping in helping as he can't tend to the cows like he used to or like he wants to. He's 89 and still thinks he is 60. I'm following in his footsteps which is pretty different than most cattle owners, but trying to learn other methods too. One thing would be my grandfather never once used a chute and always just used the pen. If something wouldn't pen, he would rope it and pull it into the trailer with the tractor.
2. My grandfather never took his bull off the cows/heifers and still does not, so we get calves at various times. For use being so small, that isn't a major problem. However, I can see where managing the herd to say have calves in the spring would be best with the increase in grass supply. He would wean the calves to get the cows to dry up, which is about it.
3. After talking to the Lone Star guy, he suggested I cut my hay every 28-30 days, which would equal once a month. He said I won't get the tonnage, but I will get better quality hay. Things like people saying the grass was very mature makes me realize timing is important, which means planning is more important to have everyone available to come and help at a certain time to get the best hay. Last year weather and availability of help kept pushing us futher and further back.