talldog
Well-known member
Wanting to put in 8 more acres of Coastal Bermuda next year---What are your thoughts on sprigs or seed ???? :help:
gabby":2zboy1j7 said:If you decide to sprig, you have several good choices.
Back in April and May, I sprigged Coastal, Tift 85 and Russell a week or two apart, in that order.
Now it's been several weeks with pretty good rain and the Tift 85 and Russell runners have run a lot further than the Coastal. I don't think I will sprig any more Coastal.
talldog":3szmco0u said:Wanting to put in 8 more acres of Coastal Bermuda next year---What are your thoughts on sprigs or seed ???? :help:
Tiff leaf 8x111 888.00 Correct ?? Yes, I own it. Were are you located ?edrsimms":3er3dftp said:talldog":3er3dftp said:Wanting to put in 8 more acres of Coastal Bermuda next year---What are your thoughts on sprigs or seed ???? :help:
Planting any type of Bermuda this day and time of high fertilizer prices is just nonsense.
To Sprig or Not to Sprig (8 acres)
Tift 85
Planting Cost $75/acre (once)
Good Stand 2 yrs
Fertilizer Cost $500/acre (hay) (3) cuttings
Fertilizer Cost $200/acre (pasture) grazing/yr
Lime Cost $35/acre/yr
Weed Control $15/acre
Grazing 1 to 2 cow/calf units/acre
Crude Protein (grazing) 11%
TDN Percent 50% > 55%
Water Requirements High
$167/Cow/calf Unit (12 cows)
Tiff Leaf 3 Millet
Planting Cost $35/acre/yr
Good Stand 30 days
Fertilizer Cost $0/acre/yr (hay)
Fertilizer Cost grazing/yr $65/acre/yr
Lime Cost $35/acre every 3rd year
Weed Control $0/acre/yr
Grazing 8 cow/calf units/acre
Crude Protein (grazing) 17%
TDN Percent 70%
Water Requirements Low
$18.50/Cow/calf Unit (12 cows)
Even omitting the one time planting cost and the 2 yrs of waiting to have a weed free stand, Bermuda for grazing will cost you $250/acre/yr (250 x 8 = $2000) with an average stocking rate of 1.5 cow calf units per acre that equals:
12 cow/calf units total.
Cost for grazing those 12 cows between April and first frost is $167 per cow/calf unit.
Tiff Leaf 3 even having to re-plant it yearly will cost you $111/acre (111 x 2 = $222) with an average stocking rate of 6 cow/calf units per acre that equals:
12 cow/calf units total.
Cost for grazing those 12 cows between May and first frost is $18.50 per cow/calf.
A savings of $148.50 per cow calf unit BY NOT SPRIGGING
I can be available to come plant 2 acres of Tiff leaf 3 Millet for you for $2000. You might as well pay me the money than the fertilizer company unless you own it. Or better yet keep planting permanent pasture and buy stock in your local fertilizer co-op.
gberry":3kztjum2 said:edrsimms, I have a couple of questions.
1. Why is your fertilizer estimate so much lower for millet?
Because Millet is not a big fertilizer user unlike bermuda
2. What would the grazing season be on the millet? Planted April 10th- Begin grazing May 10th through Labor day
GRTiger85":whjsx9bu said:if your cows cant get it done on fertilized T85 or coastal...you need some new cows
GRTiger85":2mmc8fmo said:Honestly, Id rather run them on my native pasture for $0 a pair. Also dont see where you are getting your numbers. It only cost us $35 dollars an acre to put out 250Lbs of 25-10-6 to the acre on our coastal hay fields. And down here its stays green long after everything else has dried up and died in the droughts. Also seriously doubt that 2 acres can handle 12 pairs all summer long, just dont see that happening.
Jogeephus":2zjwv0jp said:Ed, you and my neighbor must have gone to the same school or something cause he believes as you do but he only runs a pair to the acre. He and I have debated this for years. He loves the monoculture while I prefer not to put all my eggs in one basket. We are not arguing this year cause he is still hauling hay and feed and had to sell some of his calves off early while mine are still eating nonfertilized bahia. Here is a picture of his best pasture this year just a few days after he put his cows on it - others are dirt. I seriously doubt he could add another 5 like you say - while in some years he probably could
Jogeephus":1fo6mpa3 said:GRTiger85":1fo6mpa3 said:Honestly, Id rather run them on my native pasture for $0 a pair. Also dont see where you are getting your numbers. It only cost us $35 dollars an acre to put out 250Lbs of 25-10-6 to the acre on our coastal hay fields. And down here its stays green long after everything else has dried up and died in the droughts. Also seriously doubt that 2 acres can handle 12 pairs all summer long, just dont see that happening.