Is producing hay profitable?

“If you are getting $125 per ton for quality hay, you are going to see a profit of $51 per ton, or $204 per acre. “The potential is there to make some pretty good money on hay.” Brown says producers could decide to grow higher-quality hay and sell into the dairy or specialty hay markets.

When Should hay fields be fertilized?

Fields that receive high levels of nitrogen also tend to become acidic and require more frequent applications of lime. For cool season grass pastures, research shows that split applications of fertilizers generally maximize yields when N is applied in the late summer, early spring and occasionally in the late spring.

How much fertilizer does a ton of hay remove?

The common forage legumes will remove 50 to 60 pounds of nitrogen per ton of hay harvested.

How much does fertilizer cost per acre for hay?

Calculate the fertilizer cost per acre. (Commercial fertilizer cost per ton ÷ acres per ton = fertilizer cost per acre.) $190 ÷ 18.3 acres per ton = $10.38 per acre. $240 ÷ 13.6 = $17.65 per acre.

What’s the best fertilizer for hay field?

Therefore, we suggest a late spring application of nitrogen. Switchgrass is an example of a warm-season grass. For situations with expected yields above 4 ton per acre, you can split apply of nitrogen fertilizer. If split application is an option, apply 3/4 of the nitrogen in early spring and 1/4 in late August.

Can I fertilize my pasture with cows on it?

Fertilizer is good for plants, but not good for cattle. Veterinarians have received reports of cattle fertilizer poisoning this spring.

How long does it take for fertilizer to work on hay fields?

After applying nitrogen at T-Sum 200, it takes anywhere between 1-2 weeks for plants to start responding giving a flush of growth. At this point, nutrients stored in the root system are made available for tiller development and growth.

What is the best fertilizer to put on a hay field?

legumes in your hay meadow? Then fertilize with phosphorus. A soil test can tell you how much phosphorus to use; usually 20-40 pounds per acre will stimulate legume growth nicely in most hay meadows.

How many bags of fertilizer do I need for 1 acre?

Answer: Each bag will cover up to 5,000 sq ft and if you have 1/4 acre(10,890 sq ft) you will need a total of 3 bags to get the correct coverage rate. This usage rate can vary depending on the type of lawn you have and your target weed.

What is the best fertilizer for hay field?

How do you increase yield of hay?

The most efficient way to fertilize a hay field is to split-apply N based on the expected yield of the next growth. The actual rate should be 50 pounds N per ton of expected hay yield. Research has shown that splitting N applications can increase N use efficiency 25 to 35 percent and yields by 5 to 10 percent.

How do I get better at hay field?

For hay, mow the field with a rotary mower to remove problem plants by cutting them before they set viable seed. Till to control tenacious, perennial weeds, such as bedstraw, and then seed. The best time to seed is in May or in the first three weeks of August, when seed will survive and compete with weeds better.

What is a good fertilizer for pastures?

The fertilizer recommendation for a legume-grass pasture with a yield of 4.1 to 5.0 tons of dry matter per acre is 60 pounds of P2O5 and 240 pounds of K2O. Thus, due to nutrient recycling, each ton of dry matter removed per acre from a legume-grass pasture actually removes about 2 pounds of P2O5 and 10 pounds of K2O.

What is the best fertilizer for a pasture?

11 Best Fertilizer for Horse Pasture

• Best Overall: GS Plant Foods Hay & Pasture Formula.
• Cheap in the price: Natural Liquid Fertilizer 16-4-8 NPK Gallon.
• Best weed and feed: Scotts Turf Builder WinterGuard Fall Weed & Feed.
• Nitrogen fertilizer for horse pasture: Milorganite 0636 Organic Nitrogen Fertilizer.