growing hay????

rusty · 08-31-2008, 08:26 AM

i have 40ac to grow hay in pa. what should i plant i am new at this.
also what is the process?
thanks

breburtch · 08-31-2008, 06:26 PM

Not sure about where you are but around here you can buy bags of mixed hay seeds that has clover, alfalfa, timothy, and some other stuff mixed in there.

Couldn't really tell you the process as I've never actually planted hay myself anywhere I ever was already had hay fields and the places that didn't bought it

Horse poor · 08-31-2008, 06:45 PM

Contact your local extention agent. They can tell you what to plant and when better than anyone else.

Chic · 09-01-2008, 08:10 AM

Yup, the extension agent is the one to talk to. They will know what will grow best locally and for the type of animal you are going to feed it to...

Soliae · 09-01-2008, 09:50 AM

Some factors you will need to consider is machinery - do you have all the farm equipment you'll need, or will you need to hire someone?

If you will need to hire someone to cut, fluff, rake, and bale your hay (not to mention preparing the area for reseeding and developing stands of the grass you choose) then you may want to simply lease the land out to someone that can do all the work, including planting, in exchange for a portion of the crop yield.

Farming has become an extremely expensive proposition nowadays - there's a reason that hay you buy is so expensive - and it isn't because the farmers are getting rich!

reiningfan · 09-01-2008, 09:12 PM

Totally agree with Soliae. The cost of the equipment and upkeep can be extremely high. If you don't have access, look into the costs of having your hay custom cut and baled.
If you do have access to equipment, I too say to go to your local ag extension office and see what they have to say. Or call local hay growers and see what they prefer.

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08-31-2008, 08:26 AM
rusty Newborn Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: PA Posts: 4	growing hay???? i have 40ac to grow hay in pa. what should i plant i am new at this. also what is the process? thanks Last edited by rusty : 08-31-2008 at 08:28 AM. Reason: spelling

08-31-2008, 06:26 PM
breburtch Coming two Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ennismore, Ontario Posts: 1,863	Not sure about where you are but around here you can buy bags of mixed hay seeds that has clover, alfalfa, timothy, and some other stuff mixed in there. Couldn't really tell you the process as I've never actually planted hay myself anywhere I ever was already had hay fields and the places that didn't bought it

08-31-2008, 06:45 PM
Horse poor Started Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Idaho Posts: 2,102	Contact your local extention agent. They can tell you what to plant and when better than anyone else. __________________ 'A government big enough to give you everything you want, is big enough to take away everything you have.' - Thomas Jefferson

09-01-2008, 08:10 AM
Chic Long Yearling Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,209	Yup, the extension agent is the one to talk to. They will know what will grow best locally and for the type of animal you are going to feed it to... __________________ Jewlery For Your HorseThe Kelley Square "I cannot do everything, but I can do something; and because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something that I can do." Edward Hale

09-01-2008, 09:50 AM
Soliae Halter broke Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Tennessee Posts: 127	Some factors you will need to consider is machinery - do you have all the farm equipment you'll need, or will you need to hire someone? If you will need to hire someone to cut, fluff, rake, and bale your hay (not to mention preparing the area for reseeding and developing stands of the grass you choose) then you may want to simply lease the land out to someone that can do all the work, including planting, in exchange for a portion of the crop yield. Farming has become an extremely expensive proposition nowadays - there's a reason that hay you buy is so expensive - and it isn't because the farmers are getting rich! __________________ Click on the Eggs and Hatchlings to Help them Hatch and Grow!

09-01-2008, 09:12 PM
reiningfan Yearling Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Western Manitoba, Canada Posts: 516	Totally agree with Soliae. The cost of the equipment and upkeep can be extremely high. If you don't have access, look into the costs of having your hay custom cut and baled. If you do have access to equipment, I too say to go to your local ag extension office and see what they have to say. Or call local hay growers and see what they prefer.