[Tim/South]

Bermuda is the most desired hay down south.

Here is a borrowed picture of a comanche 2 bermuda field

 

[Tim/South]

We struggle to keep ph above 6.....tough when applying that much N

It is only since grazing that we have been able to sustain 6.0 or better. Could not make it happen when cutting 4 times a year. The soil tests would always call for at least 1,000 lb. of lime per acre. We would put a ton, may as well since we were going over the ground any way.

The next year the test would call for another 1,000 lb. of lime. Never quite figured that one out.

I bring most of the cows home to winter. I believe all the hay they are converting has helped replenish what we have removed all those years.

 

[Tim/South]

My Alicia Bermuda here at home is in good shape. The soil test reccomendation was only 100 lbs. of nitrogen per acre. PH is 6.2 here but has not always been that way. Allowing the cattle to graze has really helped. There was a time when we applied lime at a ton per acre every year. Nitrogen was 4 or 5 hundred per acre. We cut it for horse hay square bales then.

The new bermuda will be on a new leased field. It needed some help, been abused. I need to pull another solid sample. Applied 2 tons per acre of basic slag last spring. Hopefully the new tests will show some improvement.

 

[Tim/South]

The Cheyenne 2 is perennial. From what I have read it it the best producing seeded variety I can buy for the southeast.

I have been searching religiously for someone who would sprig T85. Is just not in the cards. I tried to rent a sprigging machine and do it myself. Just can't get any of the pieces to fall into place.

I should get a cutting from the Cheyenne this year. Was advised not to use a wheel rake the first year in fear if pulling up the runners before they are well attached. Looks like I will grease up the old roll bar side delivery for one cutting.

I ordered the Tifton9 bahia this morning to over seed 17 acres already in Bahia.

Spring is just around the corner and we will all be out in the hay fields before you know it.

 

[Tim/South]

I paid $235 for a 25 lb. bag of seed. I am planting at 10 lb. per acre. I believe that comes out to just under $100 per acre for seed. I was told 10 lb. per acre would be ample. Some said 7 lb. per acre would be adequate.

Hulled seed are supposed to have two million seeds per pound (1.5 million with unhulled). At 10 lb. per acre I should be putting out 20 million seeds per acre.

I will be dropping the seeds with a drill on a prepared seed bed, then cultipacking. I was advised to plant no deeper than 1/8 inch. This is why I am not actually drilling into the soil. Just too much room for error.

With the seed drill I can use the small seed attachment to monitor the seeding rate. As expensive as the seeds are and as tiny as they are I did not want to risk broadcasting.

I have knows people who mixed the seed with dry sand and broadcast it that way. Have known of the seed to be mixed with fertilizer and spread. Both the sand or fertilized will help carry the seed farther.

 

[Tim/South]

And here is a pic of one of my T85 fields.....

Mouth watering bermuda you have there.

Your T85 will produce up to 20% more hay then what I am about to plant.

 

[Tim/South]

Tim do you have horsey customers anymore? I was thinking you fed it all?

We no longer square bale. The focus now days is on producing for ourselves. I still get calls from people wanting the Alicia for horses. My mindset evolved and I like my cows more than other peoples horses, thus we make the best hay we can and take care of our own needs first.

I baled 100 more acres this past year and made 65 less rolls than the year before. No rain. I hope to make enough hay this coming year to be able to sell some. Will get mine in the barn first.

I talked to the local who has the Tifton 85. He said I would be running a higher risk with planting the 85. We are a little north of the ideal growing zone. His has done well just up the road.

 

[Tim/South]

Our extension agent sent me some pictures of a Bahia field he planted. Had step by step labels on the process and what to expect. He said not to expect any hay this year.

I am checking on prices to sprig. I do have this field long term and hope after all this I can get it even longer.

I may weigh the costs between sprigging and planting common Bermuda. I really like our Alicia so I will go with a hybrid if I can.

Would love to get some Tifton 85 going. There is only one stand around here and it is unbelievable.

 

[Tim/South]

Once established the Cheyenne 2 will last as long as other bermuda grasses. It will need fertilizer the same as other varieties to keep the stand strong. "Moody"grass loves nitrogen.

 

[Tim/South]

It looks like T85 is not going to happen. It seems no one sprigs much anymore. Found one man who sprigs Russell Bermuda, which seems to be a good variety. Extension agents from 2 counties have been trying to help.

I have decided to plant a seeded variety, Cheyenne2. Seed is going to cost around $100 per acre. Projected yield is 7.5 - 8 tons per acre. Cheyenne2 does not seem to revert back to common bermuda like some of the other seeded varieties might. It is also fairly cold tolerant, growing as far north as Tennessee and lower Kentucky.

 

[Tim/South]

This field does not have much other than sage grass. I have another lease close to this one that is mostly Tifton 44 Bermuda. I also have Alicia Bermuda here at home. I could plant the tops of either Bermuda. The problem will be waiting until the tops are big enough to use as sprigs. I was thinking of hiring the strips done with roots sprigged.

The property is divided by a road. 30 acres on one side, 20 on the other. The 20 is in pretty good Bahia right now. A 20 next to it is a well managed Bahia field.

I really only need to concentrate on the 30 acres which makes it easier.

I need to plow the sage up to kill it. Time is getting close. I am going to drop some coins on seed or sprigs either way. We have always been Bermuda. The Bahia and Fescue hay we make off the farm is relatively new to me. I do have a couple of nice Bahia leased fields that make nice hay.

Thanks for the opinions.