Hay Fields

[Matt Weltz]

We rent two small fields that total 7 acres to raise hay on. They had been in corn-bean rotation before we started renting them. We plating ouats and alfalfa and left it for five years. At the end of the five years, we ripped it up and replanted soybeans as the owner would not let us plant in corn as he was worried it would raise his corn base too high (not sure why). Anyway, the soybeans were harvested, and the field left over winter. This spring, we disked the field and planted oats and alfalfa again. The oats came up real good and thick and the alfala was coming up real thick to but then it got dry. The oats only got about a foot tall and we baled them. Right after we got the oats up, we got a couple inches or rain and then nothing for a month. Trouble is, the alfalfa is the same height now as what it was when we cut the oats and there is ALOT of grass in the field. What is the deal??? Is the inconsistency of the moisture screwing things up or is something else to blame? Can anything be done or am I going to have to rip it up and start over again next spring? Or do I just let things go and hope that the alfala will continue to grow and thicken and choke the grass out? Have never had this happen before so am looking for a little advice. Thanks!

P.S. - I am in Central Iowa...

 

[Anonymous-0]

first determine if you've got an adequate stand of alfalfa. if so, then it would probably be best to control the grass chemically with Select herbicide or Arrow(generic equivilent i think).it's about a dollar an oz. and i believe the rate is 8 or 9 oz. per acre also use crop oil concentrate. if you've mowed the hay allow the grass to regrow some before you spray. as for the alfalfa not growing i don't know the reason but here in SE kansas it's not growing worth a darn. to much rain, then hot and dry, then a big rain. ground is packed like a road. weeds and grass doing fine though.

 

[Don-Wi]

That's how most of our fields look the year we plant them and combine the oats off. Let it go til next year. 1st crop may or may not be much, but 2nd crop will probably be normal.

The grass we get in our oats feilds is called fox tail here. Gets a big fat orange/brown & kinda fluffy seed head on it. Sometimes it's thicker than other years, but it's there every year after we combine it. the next year it doesn't show up, and if it does at al it's in the fall and doesn't do anything to really hurt the fields.

Donovan from Wisconsin

 

[Matt Weltz]

Yes the alfalfa stand that is there is good and thick. It is just not very tall and there is too darned much grass. I will check into that chemical though. I did not know what I could use on the grass that would not kill the alfalfa. Am thinking I may just take Donovans advice and stick with my original plan of letting it go and hoping for the best next year.

 

[MN Scott]

I wouldn't bother with the chemical but if the grass is foxtail and it gets taller than the alfalfa I would consider cutting and baling it before the first of september. The main threat from the foxtail is it can smother the alfalfa if snow packs the dead grass onto the crowns of the alfalfa. Also make sure you soil fertility is up to the alfalfas needs. Fall is a good time to fertilize. Alfalfa takes a lot of P&K.

 

[paul]

Sounds normal. It's the dry. Clip the weeds be4 they go to seed, be gentle to the alfalfa as you do this, and all should be fine whenever - if ever - it rains again.

--->Paul

 

[Allan in NE]

That's totally normal.

Next spring, your alfalfa will be just fine.

Allan

 

[pork]

check your soil ph level with a test. alfalfa needs a ph of 7 or more. add lime to correct this. it may take up to six months for the lime to change the soil, so act quickly.

according to our county extension agent in northern ky,you can also put on some pot ash for a quick pick me up. this worked super for us . on a 15 acre field the second cutting made 700 bales and after the pot ash, the third cutting is expected to make 1200.(we just cut this morning). with the dry weather, we"re glad to get that yeild.