I am getting a pregnant doe next fall (for milking) and I have an acre of mostly reed canary grass with different weeds dispersed. would this be sufficient if baled instead of alfalfa hay? and how much would you pay a farmer to bale it, compared to buying the hay.Thanks much!

-- Dean Graber (gwoodworking@centurytel.net), December 09, 2001

Answers

I'm afraid my memory is a little sketchy on details, but I used to work on a farm where the fields were in reed canary grass. They had been seeded originally quite awhile ago and there was something in the grass that did not sit well with the goats. I was told at the time that newer strains of reed canary grass did not have the problem. The second cut hay looked very nice and the calves did quite well on it, but the goats didn't. I wish I could supply more detail. Ask you extension agent.

-- Sheryl in Me (radams@sacoriver.net), December 09, 2001.

I haven't a clue either. Goats do very well on weedy first cutting hay, but then the main crop is alfalfa or a grass hay, the weeds are just aggressive enough to come up first. Most fields are cut on shares, you fertilize it and maintain it and he comes to bale it and you split the hay, which he sells on the spot (in the field) for his profit. This question may be something that only other homesteaders in your specific area need to answer. Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), December 09, 2001.

We do alot of square baled hay every year, 30 to 50 acres worth, and making hay involves alot of equipment that can be expensive and time consuming to maintain, as well as labor intensive. The going rate if not done on shares is 60 cents a bale, considering you can buy the hay for a dollar or a dollar and a quarter, it might be better to just buy the appropriate type and quality hay you need from a reputable farmer.

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), December 10, 2001.

Remember you can take poor quality square baled hay to a feed mill and have it ground up. You can then have whatever supplements you want added.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), December 10, 2001.