| well, now that the hay is pretty much up, I know now how 'short' I am! So, thinking now that we'll have a reasonable early harvest, (I'd venture to say we've have our allotment of heat units!!!) I'm really considering baling up our cornstalks. Normally, I graze them into the ground, then feed pretty much all our hay crop on those acres. I'll feed about 3000 bales on a 2 pivot half section. I keep hearing about a possible 'wet' winter: (deep snow). That would sure make a string of 1200-1500 bales look nice! 2-3 years ago, I didn't bale any stalks, and was forced to feed all my hay early, and ran out of hay when calving started. (but had stalks to graze as the snow melted) I prefer not to do that again!
Back to the question! If we get our corn out early, say before nov 1, and plant at least one circle to trit, I am thinking of just mowing off the stalks, and drilling right into the short stubble. I know that could be really pushing the limit on planting date... I might be able to convince FIL to plant trit on his bean ground. Early OCT plant date on those acres. The triticale would be used in the spring as a warmup before going to hard grass. (If it ever rains)
NOW for the actual question! after grazing the trit, and giving it some time to grow back, does it make pretty good hay? I'd probably go with a short season soybean to plant into after haying, or go with a sudan grass/cane or millet if it looks like another dry year. (2013). This is all under pivot irrigation. (Yes I am aware that $8+ corn is in 'play' ) I also have a very bad feeling about what our input costs will be next year too...) |