When I owned cattle I planted hybrid sorghums for livestock feed. I left the cutting and baling to an excellent custom operator, and he determined the proper time for the process.

In that area of Kansas, prairie hay was not cut because of the short buffalo grass. Where I'm at now, many of the grasses do allow prairie hay to be cut.

My questions are, "When is the proper time (what stage of growth) to cut grasses for prairie hay?" and "What is the proper curing, i.e. drying period for the cut hay, how do I know when to rake it gathering or baling?"

Thanks in advance!

-- Notforprint (Not@thekeyboard.com), December 15, 2000

Answers

I don't know where you're located now, but if you're anywhere close to Iowa or Missouri, here's a great URL which will tell you more than you probably really want to know about prairie hay.

http://www.conservation.state.mo.us/manag/hay/index.shtml

You have to balance the declining protein content, the increasing yield, and the need for getting carbohydrates to the roots for next year's crop. If you cut it with something which will crush the stems, it will usually dry in just a few days to the point where stems crack rather than bend-of course this all depends on the weather and temperature. You just about can't overdry it, but it should not get rained on, so that's another trade-off, too.

Your local extension service can probably help you out a great deal with information specific to your area.

Good luck, Arnold

-- Arnold Sherman (asherman@spamcop.net), December 15, 2000.

Thanks Arnold! That was the exact information that I was looking for. I'm in Kansas, but I should be able to use the dates given as guidelines for others areas as well.

-- Notforprint (Not@thekeyboard.com), December 15, 2000.

My grandfather taught me, and we have been following his advice for years concerning hay, is to cut grasses in the first 10% of bloom, or seed stage of growth, and to bale when the grass stems break when you bend them. If the stems and blades don't break cleanly ( not apart, just a nice straight break, like a 90 degree angle), it's not cured yet, wait (whatever it takes, days, hours, whatever), and try again.

This will ensure hay of the highest food value available from that type of grass, and nice dry hay that will not go moldy or musty. Be sure to check the thickest stems present in the cut grasses, as these will be the last to cure. It is worth the wait. Annie in SE OH.

-- Annie Miller (annie@1st.net), December 15, 2000.