We planted a lot of Tifton 85 this year and it is looking good. We are wondering to go ahead and cut it now or wait and let it get established good.If we cut now we will be cutting alot of the runners. The common is coming on strong. If we cut now will it spread and grow quicker than the common,dallas,and crab grass and choke them out? Should we keep cutting it every 28 days and fertilize after each cutting according to soil test and will this make the stand better or should we go in there and just clip it? The 85 looks good but it needs some room to spread. We did spray with 2-4D and weeds aren't the problem it is the common and the Dallas grass. Thanks

Tom,
Our general recommendation for newly established pastures of hybrid-Bermuda grass is to wait one full year before grazing or especially cutting hay. This allows for better establishment and will give you much better production starting next spring.

I suggest that you have a soil sample tested by the Soil, Water, and Forage testing lab here at Texas A&M and fertilize based on the recommendations returned by the lab. The Tiffton 85 should eventually come on and choke out everything else out there.

You can get the information about getting a soil sample tested, including direction on how to collect and where to send the sample, from your county Texas Cooperative Extension agent.

David Inbody
Asst. Director
Center for Grazinglands and Ranch Management
Texas A&M University System
Phone: (888) 799- 4442
E-mail: cgrm@tamu.edu

I have established tiffton 85 and are having a major dusting problem with it. I am new to the hay busniess and wondered if you could help me. We have had the north carolina dept. of ag. to check it and it has good protein at 10.04% and nitrate is 0.0%. There is no mold present.

Danny,
We aren't familiar with dusting. If you could give me some more information about what it is that causing your Tiffton problems it would help me get you some information. If you could describe exactly what the dusting is causing that might also help.

I'm sorry for not being able to help you but we have just never heard of dusting before.

David,
Thanks for responding to my note. the problem we have is the hay seems to be dusty. We have been told it looks like mold, but the hay has been tested and no mold is present. Also there are no nitrates or toxins. Could this be because we cut the hay too tall. How often should the hay be cut? The hay also smells ok. If you would like to I would be glad to talk with you by phone 919-427-4611. We have no problems with the horses that have eaten it. Some of our buyers have a problem with buying the hay. Look forward to talking with you. Thanks again
Danny Chappell

Danny: It sounds like the dust is just that; dust. It is VERY unlikely to be mold. If you intend to sell to the horse industry, you should plan on a harvest interval that ranges from 18-21 days. The hay can be cut as often as it produces the desired level of dry matter; that is, on the 18-21-day harvest interval, the forage would probably be around 12-14" tall. If this occurs every 3 weeks during the growing season, you may cut it every 3 weeks. Bear in mind, however, that you MUST apply the appropriate level of fertilizer nutrients so that you do NOT mine the area of nutrients and degrade the land's production capability. The appropriate level of fertilizer inputs can best be determined with a soil test; but this may only be the beginning... Intensive hay harvest is hard on the soil and you must take extra precautions to prevent the negative effects that may occur.

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I live in Madison county Texas can someone recomend a person that does Tifton85 sprigging

Call your county agent, They should know of someone.
Your agent can be contacted at:
Madison County Extension Office
http://madison-tx.tamu.edu
Brian K. Rigsby, County Coordinator

Phone: 936-348-2234
Fax: 936-348-9685
Mailing Address: 300 School St, Rm 101, Madisonville, TX 77864
County: Madison.

I sell and plant Tifton 85 sprigs in Madison, Leon, and Houston Counties. E-mail me at dallen@rodzoo.com with any questions.