Hay Buyers Phoning Around?

[dalek]

Chisel plowed 40 acres of corn stalks yesterday. No wet spots anywhere

[dalek]

Chisel plowed 40 acres of corn stalks yesterday. No wet spots anywhere

First shot of nitrogen and sulfur went on the winter wheat last weekend

[dalek]

First shot of nitrogen and sulfur went on the winter wheat last weekend

[Old Cowzilla]

Buddy of mine helped put a tractor back together yesterday and we talked about the 80's drought.We set up 7 miles of pipe to fill 6 dugouts from the river so guys would have water for the cows in winter. It was a lot of work running pipes through culverts and fences and such but we were young pups and up for the job. He has a bad feeling about this year but who knows I don't think we could drink as much beer as the first time if we had to do it again

[burnt]

Some spring cereals and triple mix forage seed in the ground around here. Started working corn ground, but won't plant until late April.

I put my leftover dry hay on the market, but might just pull it back off until we see what we're gonna get. Unless someone decides they want it more than I do...

DaleK, if they are going this early with N, would they be looking at a split app?

[dalek]

Yes, mostly half the N and all the sulfur going on now but some are planning three apps.

[Blaithin]

I wonder, in a year that so many are already worried about being dry, why some are already out breaking up, cultivating or discing?

Are they going to plant? The last few years it’s been -30 in April here. Do they think something planted in March had a chance?

Or are plans still to plant end of April the soonest, more likely May. In which case, why break up, cultivate or disc?!? Any moisture they have will be gone by seeding doing that. They can’t really expect that land to still be somewhat moist, not around here. Nothing covering it for over a month... full exposure to sun and wind.... That’s putting all eggs in the “gee I hope it rains” basket.

Had some hay arrive yesterday. Told the hauler if he finds someone with a spare 17 to feel free to send them my way. Even traded him a pair of geese for a hay tarp so I can start collecting while the time is right.

[dalek]

In my case I raked the corn stalks on this field to bale then a surprise snowstorm popped up and it never dried up enough again so I wanted to spread out the windrows and bury them as soon as possible. I don’t plan to work anymore ground for a bit

[Blaithin]

Where has my quote button disappeared too 🤔🤔

I believe you live in a much more moist environment than I do Dale. Tilling is fairly common where you are?

A neighbour of mine was breaking up a quarter of pasture this week. We are on top of a plateau and the neighbouring quarters have wind turbines on them... Theres no way that ground isn’t going to be popcorn fart dry by May, and will most likely struggle even if it does rain. I understand spring fever and wanting to get out and do things - and the weather is letting us! - but something like that in an area so prone to dryness just seems dumb. Wait a month, let it keep its cover for as long as possible. Instead anything it has left from the nice rain last year is now going to evaporate.

[WiltonRanch]

Been direct seeding over 10 years through some of the wettest ever. Have yet to find the need to till anything. Even going to direct seed sprayed out hay ground. I’m about as ready for dry as can be for the farming side. Ranching side a bit worried for grazing. Some benefit for being mixed still. Straight cow outfits that buy most feed I wonder how it pays and if they get a good nights sleep.
Digressing a bit, have you ever seen anything of the confined cattle barn setups? Kinda the rage in the USA Midwest where cow ground is sparse. Feed savings and less land required apparently. Not my ethos but maybe the future.

[Blaithin]

UK is big into housed cattle. Too wet to put them out on pasture a lot of the time so they keep them in and feed them for a large part of the year.

Interesting method but a lot of work and yardage compared to being able to kick them out.

[Old Cowzilla]

Doing cattle and grain can be a pain but even if I only did cattle I would still sow crops to cover feed supply. Don't trust hay crops alone ,rather sell extra feed than have to buy it cause sure as heck if I needed feed the price would be through the roof and the bank account would be as dry as the pasture the cattle are in.