Hay Production - Texas A&M University

Because regrowth is usually poor, you should expectonly one harvest. A mower/conditioner will help thishay dry more quickly. Mixtures of arrowleaf cloverand annual ryegrass can make an excellent qualityhay crop.The species of forage used for hay production willhave a large impact on hay nutritive value. Generally,legumes have higher nutritive value than grasses, andcool-season grasses have higher nutritive value thanwarm-season grasses at the same stage of maturity(Table 3). Within each type, nutritive value varieswidely with maturity.Warm-Season LegumesSoybean (Glycine max) can be used for grazing or forhay. You can harvest soybeans at any stage of growth,however, dry matter yield and nutritive value arebalanced when harvest occurs when there is a full podat one of the upper nodes. Unlike most other legumecrops used for hay, soybean foliage and pods bothprovide digestible protein.Animal Nutrient NeedsThe principle limiting nutrients for ruminants (cattle,goats, sheep, etc.) are either energy (total digestiblenutrients, TDN) or protein (crude protein, CP). Forcattle grazing dormant pastures or consuming poorquality hay, protein is usuallythe most limiting nutrient.When you have to buy suppleTable 3. Approximate hay yield, crude protein content, and total digestible nutrimental feed, protein is oftenent (TDN) content of various hay crops under good soil fertility and management.the most expensive component.Forage nutritive value has draApproximate usualnutrient levelmatic effects on livestock proAnnual (A)Usualductivity (weight gain, reproType oforhay yieldCrudeTDNhay cropperennial (P)(tons/A)protein (%)(%)duction, etc.), so it is criticalto match the nutritive value ofCool-seasonthe hay to the nutrient requireAlfalfa (early bloom)P3-617-2257-62ments of the target animal.Arrowleaf 2-512-1555-60Red -1656-62SoybeanA2-315-1854-58Tall fescueP2-410-1555-60Annual tal bermudagrass(4 -510-1450-56Pearl milletA2-68-1250-58Sericea ce: D.M. Ball, C.S. Hoveland, and G.D. Lacefield. Southern Forages, 4th edition.4Beef cattleFor beef cattle operations, themost common source of storedfeed is hay. If hay is harvestedat the proper stage of plantgrowth and stored properly, itcan, with the possible exceptionof grazing, provide nutrientsat the lowest possible cost. Acow’s nutrient requirement isthe greatest 60 to 80 days aftercalving. Stockering young,growing cattle requires anaverage daily gain of at least1.5 pounds for the season, andhigh-quality forage is essentialto meeting this goal. A growingbeef steer or heifer requiresforage with about 12 percentCP and 65 to 68 percent TDN.

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)provides County Soil Surveys that document thesedifferent soil properties based on soil profile samples,aerial topography maps, on-site assessment of vegetation and streams, and other visual data. Most Texascounties have recent soil surveys that were completedafter 1960. These surveys can be found at many public libraries, at local NRCS offices, or online using theSoil Web Survey (http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov).HorsesThe “best” hay for any given horse depends on itsparticular nutrient requirements. Barren mares,retirees, and horses used for light recreational ridinghave relatively low nutrient requirements; growinghorses, lactating mares, and performance horses havehigher nutrient requirements. Mid-to late-maturityhay is usually more desirable for horses with lowernutrient requirements, while early-maturity hays aremore appropriate for horses with high nutrient needs.Early-maturity hays are more palatable and workeffectively for horses with poor appetites. With goodmanagement, most hay species or mixtures can besatisfactory for horses. Horse-quality hay begins at10% CP and should approach 12% or more.In addition to the soil survey, producers can evaluate their land by observing how plants and foragesrespond to rainfall and prolonged periods of drought.How well or poorly forages grow depends on the soil’swater-holding capacity, root development potential,and nutrient availability. Soil survey data, coupledwith observations regarding forage production, canprovide valuable information about soil differencesacross a given landscape. Water-holding capacity,influenced by soil texture and slope, is often the maindeterminant of good land for hay production.Sheep and goatsSmall ruminants have somewhat higher metabolicrates and require more nutrition than large animals.Hay for sheep and goats should contain more proteinand be more digestible than hay produced for the dry,pregnant cow. Like other livestock, the nutrient needsof these animals will vary, so match the hay you feedto their nutrient requirements.As you develop your soil and forage managementplan, you will need to consider each field’s size andshape in relation to the fertilizer spreaders andharvest equipment you plan to use. You must alsoconsider the field proximity to other crops or properties that might restrict or prevent the use of certainpesticides, limestone, or other nutrients.Soil FertilitySoil fertility is critical to forage production and nutritive value. Therefore, a sound soil fertility program iscritical for providing adequate nutrients for the growing plant. In a forage system this involves more thanjust adding nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). It also involves monitoring soil compaction,soil pH, nutrient applications and removal rates, and insome cases, subsoil nutrient status.Forage needsIf you are growing hay only for sale, fertilize and plantevery acre on which you can grow hay profitably. Ifyou are growing hay for a livestock operation, you willneed hay for the number of animal units (1000 poundcow with nursing calf ) multiplied by 26 pounds of hayper day, multiplied by the number of feeding days andadjusted for some level of feeding waste. For example,if you have 100 head of cattle and plan 120 days offeeding and considering 20% waste, you will need tobale and have on hand, 390,000 pounds of hay.Soil testing is the most important tool in forage production. But before collecting soil samples for testingyou should take a land inventory and evaluate yourforage needs.26 pounds 100 head 120 days .8(20 percent waste) 390,000 pounds of hayLand inventoryThe productivity of soil across a field can vary significantly due to changes in slope, soil depth, soil moisture retention, and surface and subsoil textures. It isdifficult to improve land that is sloped and has poorsoil texture and low moisture retention. The USDA’sThis quantity of hay could be produced on 98 acres ofland (single 2-ton hay cutting), 49 acres of land (two2-ton hay cuttings) or 33 acres of land (three 2-ton5

hay cuttings). Forage for hay production requiresconsiderably more nutrients and management thanis required for grazing. Hay production, therefore,should be reserved for the highest yielding sites.Estimate the tonnage of hay you will need and growthis hay on the fewest number of acres possible. Soil samplingOnce you have determined how much hay you need,you can use the land inventory to decide where tocollect soil samples and how to manage fields forgrazing or hay production. Mapping and collectingsoil samples properly will help you develop anaccurate and efficient nutrient management plan.While one sample per 40 acres should suffice for landintended for grazing, you should collect one sampleper 10 acres in hay fields (Fig. 1).RidgetopA-1A-2A-3A-4 Eroded slopeLand at bottomof slope A-3 Figure 1. Soil sampling for pastures. The composite soil sample for each area you wantto analyze should consist of 10 to 15 subsamples.These subsamples should be broken up thoroughlyand mixed in a clean plastic bucket. Then place 1pint of this mixture in a soil sample bag. This is thecomposite sample. Soil sample bags are typicallyavailable from your local county extension agent. Avoid sampling small gullies, slight fielddepressions, terrace waterways, or atypical areas.When sampling fertilized fields, avoid samplingdirectly in a fertilized band.After applying manure or litter to a field, wait 90days before taking soil samples unless the manureor litter has been thoroughly incorporated.Composite samplesTake 10 to 15 subsamples from different locationsin the area to be managed.Use a soil auger or soil sampling tube and sample6 inches deep. You can use an auger bit poweredby an electric drill to collect samples that are 0to 6 inches deep. Regardless of method, take allsamples from the same depth.Clear plant litter from the surface, but do notremove decomposed black (humus) material.When using a spade/sharpshooter, dig a V-shapedhole and take a 1-inch slice from the smooth sideof the hole; then take a 1- x 1-inch core from themiddle of that slice.Create composite samples by placing soil subsamples in a clean plastic bucket or other non-metalliccontainer and thoroughly mixing them. One pintof this mixture is a composite sample that represents the field or area you want analyzed.Air-drying the samples before sending them tothe laboratory will improve the nitrate-nitrogenanalysis. Do not use heat to dry samples.Fill the soil sample bag completely. Do not submitsamples in old vegetable cans, tobacco cans,match boxes, or glass containers. If you submitmore than one sample bag, label them 1 of 2, 2 of2, etc.Under some circumstances, you may need to takedeeper soil samples to better understand the nutrient status of the deeper soil profile. For example,soils with very sandy surfaces often have very lowpotassium-holding capacity and annual soil testingwill suggest the need for potassium fertilization. If thesoil has a shallow clay layer within 12 inches of thesurface, however, it may not need additional potassium fertilizer because potassium is available in theclay layer. The Texas AgriLife Extension Service Soil,Sampling procedureTake one composite sample for every 10 to 40acres. Take separate samples for areas withdifferent soil types, different land uses or fertilizeruses, or different terrain.Routine analysis requires approximately 1 pint ofthe composite soil.6

Water and Forage Testing Laboratory is evaluatingprofile soil testing for forage systems but does not currently make any formal recommendations for forageprofile soil samples.quality, the encroachment of tidal water, or the lackof leaching. The only effective way to reduce soilsalinity is by leaching the salts down through the soilprofile with abundant rainfall or irrigation. Thoughchoices are limited, you could decide to plant moresalt-tolerant foragesThe recommendations that you receive from the testing laboratory will assume that:NitrogenMost perennial Texas forages scavenge nitrogen verywell and leave little carryover at the end of the growing season. Though nitrogen recommendations arebased on species and yield goals, it generally takesapproximately 50 pounds of nitrogen to produce 1ton of high-protein, warm-season perennial grass hay.This level of nitrogen is required for all subsequenthay harvests. For grazing systems, nitrogen recommendations are based on species and assume equalgrazing intensity and urine and fecal deposits acrossa given field. Research shows that as much as 50 percent of the nitrogen applied as fertilizer and taken upby the forage is recycled through animal defecationinto new forage growth within 4 weeks of grazing.This efficiency is lost when livestock are allowed tocongregate near ponds and shade areas. Rotationalstocking with water in each paddock will help ensureefficient nitrogen management and capture.1) compaction and non-chemical soil properties willnot limit yield;2) you will control weeds;3) your yield goal is reasonable for the field to befertilized;4) the soil sample was representative of the area analyzed;5) the crop species you select are suitable for theclimate and soil; and6) you will address all nutrient, pH, and salinitylimitations.Evaluating SoilCharacteristicsThe first factor to evaluate is the soil pH. Most foragespecies require soil pH levels of at least 5.8. Soilswith low pH levels can have higher concentrationsof soluble aluminum and manganese. This conditionlimits root development and restricts uptake of waterand most plant nutrients, including nutrients fromfertilizer applications. You can increase the soil pH byapplying ground or finely crushed limestone. Unlessthe limestone is worked into the soil completely andthere is adequate soil moisture, however, you maynot see changes in the soil pH immediately. Recentapplications of nitrogen may also decrease the soil pHby creating new acidity. In many Texas landscapes,free limestone (calcium carbonate) makes the soilpH moderately high and limits the availability ofphosphorus and most micronutrients. Unless highsodium levels cause the high pH, there is no effectivemechanism for lowering soil pH. If this is the case, youmust select forages that can tolerate the high soil pH.PhosphorusAfter nitrogen, phosphorus is often the second mostlimiting nutrient. Phosphorous plays a major rolein transferring energy from one part of the plant toanother, enabling cell division and plant growth.Many areas of Texas have inherently low amountsof soil phosphorus. Phosphorous is less availablein deeper soil and can be depleted when it is notreplaced after hay harvests. Soil tests can determinephosphorus levels in forage fields; however, a common symptom of low phosphorous is the decline ofdesired forage species (e.g., bermudagrass) and theinvasion of grasses that require less phosphorus (e.g.,bahiagrass). Rotational stocking systems effectivelymaintain phosphorus availability. In these systems,fecal deposits are quickly mineralized so the phosphorus can be used immediately. In haying systems,an average of 14 pounds P2O5 is removed for eachton of dry matter harvested. Phosphorus can quicklylimit plant growth if it is not replaced.Soluble saltsHigh levels of soluble salts in the soil can limit wateruptake and forage productivity. In most cases, soilsbecome saline because of poor irrigation water7

herbicide later. Even with the best planting and soilmanagement, however, most hay operations willrequire some form of weed control.PotassiumPotassium’s primary role in plants is associated withwater transport. Without adequate potassium plantstake up less water and nutrients and forage yielddecreases. Historically, low potassium was only aproblem in the sandier areas of Texas, but hay production in more clayey soils has also depleted potassiumfrom the surface and subsurface of these soils. About45 pounds of K 2O are removed per ton of dry matterharvested. The removal rate in grazing systems is nearzero, but as mentioned above, rotational stocking willhelp ensure more even redistribution of potassium.ChemicalWhen used appropriately, chemical weed management is safe and cost-effective. The first step is to correctly identify the weed species, then select the mosteffective herbicide.The second step is to follow the label directionsprecisely to ensure that you use the herbicide safely,effectively and economically. Labels list safety precautions, proper application rates and times, targetspecies, and cleanup and disposal information. Evenif you have used certain herbicides for many years,check the label each year to see if the product instructions have changed. The Texas Agrilife ExtensionService publishes weed control guides to help youselect herbicides.Other nutrientsWhile other plant nutrients can be limiting, thefrequency and pattern of these limitations is verydifficult to generalize. Producers should evaluate thestatus of these other nutrients with annual soil tests.Weed ManagementPrescribed firePrescribed fire is generally used to suppress woodyspecies and is often used after herbicide treatments.Prescribed fire can extend the life of the herbicideapplication and repeated fires, especially warmseason fires, can convert wooded areas into savannasthat provide better livestock and/or wildlife habitat.Many producers also find the savanna ecosystemmore aesthetically pleasing. Although prescribed fireis not common in east Texas, its value as a management tool should not be overlooked.Weed infestation generally increases after drought orwhen land is not managed properly. When fertilizedaccording to laboratory recommendations, foragecrops such as bermudagrass produce significantlymore dry matter and can usually out-compete weedspecies. Without fertilization, however, weed speciesgenerally have the competitive advantage.Weeds hurt forage production by interceptingsunlight and removing moisture and nutrients forage crops need for growth. Weed flowers in the haymeadow are usually the first indication of a weedproblem. Unfortunately, by the time weeds flower,it is usually too late to apply a herbicide or it takesadditional herbicide to achieve control. A better strategy is to scout pastures early every growing seasonto determine whether weed infestation is at a levelrequiring intervention.MechanicalMechanical weed management methods can be effective in regions that have problems with mesquite, huisache, blackbrush, and other woody species. Mechanical methods are generally less effective and morecostly than chemical controls (Table 4). Mechanicaltreatments, primarily mowing or shredding, canactually make managing species like persimmonmore difficult. Though Table 4 may appear to indicateonly a slight economical advantage to the herbicidetreatment, each season usually requires more thanone mechanical treatment. When you consider eventwo trips across the field with a mower, the economicadvantage of herbicides is immediately apparent.PreventionThe best way to mange weeds is to prevent them frombecoming a problem. Proper seeding rates and forageselection, combined with good fertility, produceforage stands that are better able to compete withweed species. This approach to weed managementis usually more cost-effective than applying8

the correct stage of maturity than it is to purchasesupplement. The goal, then, is to harvest hay whenyield and nutritive value are balanced for the targetanimal species and class.Table 4. Economic comparison: Mechanical and chemicalweed control.Item40-hp tractorwith 6-footrotary mower40-hp tractorwith 30-footboom sprayer 10.00 10.002.7314.18 5.58 5.00 3.66-0 14.24 1.53 1.11 0.71 8.25 11.50Labor cost/hourAcres/hourCostsFixed cost/acreOperating cost/acreLabor cost/acreHerbicide cost/acreTota

the total hay acreage harvested and 48 percent of the total hay value (Table 2). In 2008, Texans harvested approximately 4.4 million acres of hay worth an estimated 1 billion. Whether you look at national data or at Texas data, hay production is a valuable enterprise that contributes significantly to our state and national economies.