I am wanting to move my Blackland Farm to hay production. This is in the central texas area. I know nothing about how to accomplish this. Is there a good short course on hay issues at TAMU? Where can I get literature on the subject? What should it cost to do this?

I'm talking about 50 good acres that is easy to get onto. At present it is farmed for cotton, mase and corn.

Russ,

I asked the same question a few monthes back, got some really good info from the folks that read this board, see the thread labeled

"Tifton 85 question (new to Farming) "

My question is similar to Russ'. I've recently purchased a small farm which was sprigged in Bermuda in the early 1970's. I'd like to get it back into quality production. Any advice or publications you may recommend would be appreciated.

How can you tell when beardless wheat is ready to cut and bale at its optimum for taste and nutrition? Do you have to cut and let it dry before baling it like alfalfa? If so, how long should it be left before baling?

Answered by Dr. Larry Redmon, State Forage Specialist

The best time to harvest small grains or ryegrass is at the stage of growth referred to as early boot. As the wheat plant begins to mature, the seedhead will begin its movement from the crown (soil surface) and move slowly up through the stem. If you look at the stem and feel of it, you will notice an enlarged area within the stem...this is the soon to emerge seedhead. Early boot is when the seedhead is low in the stem, late boot is just before emergence. Cutting at the early boot stage of growth will optimize both quantity and nutritive value of the hay.

The wheat hay should contain <20% moisture at baling and closer to 15% is better. To bale at higher moisture invites depletion of carbohydrate reserves, mold, potential development of toxins, and possibly a hay fire due to spontaneous combustion

How can I get rid of rye grass in my bermuda fields, I am trying to remove it from 200 acres in the blacklands of Central Texas (Lott, Tx).