Pasture advice

[gthag]

I recently bought ~80 acres in Stephenville, TX area. It's mostly coastal bermuda and had been a productive hay place for 20+ years. An "interim" owner, who I bought the place from last month, was sloppy with the grass for the past 2 years. He had 2 cuttings last year and fertilized once he says.

This year, the place has not been sprayed or fertilized. It's pretty "wooly" with grown up coastal and some weeds.

My plan with the place is to clean it up and grow horse and dairy hay. The dilemna I have now is what to do this year. The "hay" if cut now is not worth much of anything and there is a glut of hay from last year around here. It's also dry as a bone and I doubt there's another cutting of hay to be had this year. One option is to lease for cattle and let them clean it up, but I'm afraid it would not be too attractive for someone to lease <10 months.

I'd appreciate any thoughts you'd have.

 

[Wild Cattle]

That would be a good set up for a yearling man to turn out some steers for the rest of the summer.

 

[TheBullLady]

.. or would work for short term lease for some dairy heifers, of which there are a lot of in your area.

 

[TexasBred]

As many dairies as you have in your area surely someone would be looking for even a short term pasture to lease for heifers or dry cows. Get on the phone..

 

[TXBobcat]

As many dairies as you have in your area surely someone would be looking for even a short term pasture to lease for heifers or dry cows. Get on the phone..

Or, post an ad in the local thrifty nickel, then your phone will probably be ringing.

 

[gthag]

Thanks for all of the above. What would be typical terms for a grazing lease?