Pasture/hay ?
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- GURU
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Pasture/hay ?
I just cut a 15 acre pasture (good grass) Saturday that was really tall 4-5 ft. I just bush hogged it. Is it bad for all that cut grass to lay there? In other words will it inhibit regrowth of the grass? A neighbor wants to rake it and make hay but I was thinking that takes off nutrients from fresh cut grass. I’m obviously no hay expert.
- JW IN VA
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Re: Pasture/hay ?
Just guessing when I haven't seen it but, to me, it would be how much residue you have left.If it's heavy and you aren't grazing it,you may be better off to bale it.If it was thin and tall and not likely to smother the grass underneath,might be better to let it go back.
If your neighbor is needing hay and can bale some of it,you might be doing yourself a favor in the long run even if you loose some nutrients.Good deeds have a way of returning.
I have one field which gets ahead of me before I can get cattle on it some years. Grows up tall and matures.Have let the neighbors cut it on shares when they cut theirs for some extra hay.I get some hay made I don't have to handle and the field mowed off which I would have to do anyway.They get some hay they wouldn't have otherwise.Yes,I loose some of the grazable grass but I have extra hay if it gets dry I can feed back or save for winter.I look at it as a win for both of us.
If your neighbor is needing hay and can bale some of it,you might be doing yourself a favor in the long run even if you loose some nutrients.Good deeds have a way of returning.
I have one field which gets ahead of me before I can get cattle on it some years. Grows up tall and matures.Have let the neighbors cut it on shares when they cut theirs for some extra hay.I get some hay made I don't have to handle and the field mowed off which I would have to do anyway.They get some hay they wouldn't have otherwise.Yes,I loose some of the grazable grass but I have extra hay if it gets dry I can feed back or save for winter.I look at it as a win for both of us.

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- ALACOWMAN
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Re: Pasture/hay ?
Your bush hog not shred it?
as an adult,it's clear to me now...why Ernest T Bass, threw rocks at people..
- ALACOWMAN
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Re: Pasture/hay ?
A certain amount of residue is great..for holding moisture,and a breaking down to organic matter.. great for the soil...but if it's enough to shed out sun.it'll be slow coming back..if we go into a real dry spell in might make a difference on the stand..if its choking it out.I'd let him clean it up and bale it..
as an adult,it's clear to me now...why Ernest T Bass, threw rocks at people..
- Jeanne - Simme Valley
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Re: Pasture/hay ?
I agree. I would not want it laying in the field.
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- Jeanne - Simme Valley
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Re: Pasture/hay ?
Well, aren't we a lot of help, LOL Take your pick!! haha
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Re: Pasture/hay ?
Bale it.
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- millstreaminn
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Re: Pasture/hay ?
What's the difference? I always thought a Bush Hog was a shredder?
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Re: Pasture/hay ?
Raking and Baling bush hogged grasses all chewed and twisted up,can be aggravating keeping a bale together ..talking about it mulching it enough to just let it lay there..millstreaminn wrote: ↑Tue Jul 09, 2019 11:14 amWhat's the difference? I always thought a Bush Hog was a shredder?
as an adult,it's clear to me now...why Ernest T Bass, threw rocks at people..
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Re: Pasture/hay ?
I don’t mean to change the subject. But the original poster mentioned having tall grass. I’ve always wondered. Would cattle go and eat grass about 3-4 feet high or would they not even touch it?
- 1982vett
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Re: Pasture/hay ?
Best define the grass....they will strip a corn field clean...KentuckySpud wrote: ↑Thu Jul 11, 2019 6:11 pmI don’t mean to change the subject. But the original poster mentioned having tall grass. I’ve always wondered. Would cattle go and eat grass about 3-4 feet high or would they not even touch it?
Had some tall grass a couple summers ago. Mostly got trampled.
Aug 7, 2019 22:51GMT -5 the illustrious potentate said:
Because you have the freedom to say what you think, doesn't always mean that you should.
The right to speak freely is not free of consequences.
Because you have the freedom to say what you think, doesn't always mean that you should.
The right to speak freely is not free of consequences.
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Re: Pasture/hay ?
Good to know. Thanks!1982vett wrote: ↑Thu Jul 11, 2019 8:30 pmBest define the grass....they will strip a corn field clean...KentuckySpud wrote: ↑Thu Jul 11, 2019 6:11 pmI don’t mean to change the subject. But the original poster mentioned having tall grass. I’ve always wondered. Would cattle go and eat grass about 3-4 feet high or would they not even touch it?
Had some tall grass a couple summers ago. Mostly got trampled.
- Jeanne - Simme Valley
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Re: Pasture/hay ?
Generally, they just want the new young growth, so they will work on the short green stuff, if any, and trample most of the rest. If a field gets ahead of me (headed out), I will turn them in it and let them glean what they will eat, then go in & mow the rest.
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"We make a living by what we get,
we make a life by what we give."
"We make a living by what we get,
we make a life by what we give."