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Re: mowing

CarmenTK wrote:
> 
> I have read several references but I am still confused about mowing
> techniques.  How often?  What time of year is best?  Remove debris or let it
> lie?

The tradition here in NE Texas is to hay once a year on
or about July 4th. You get to mow and you get the debris 
cleared off. And, you get some very valuable hay. At least 
this is how the successful, remaining tallgrass has survived
and thrived here for over 100 years. Depending on your acreage,
a local farmer may be induced to pay you a flat rate per 
acre for the right to hay - make sure you tell him or her 
they can only get one cutting and must remove the bales 
immediately. And they cannot spray, fertilize, just cut, rake, and bale.
The rate here is 10$/acre for a yield of 2600-3000
pounds of hay per acre from one cutting. Round bales go for 
about $20 each. If the grass was winter-burned, it should 
be comparable to fertilized, managed hayfields nearby in quality
and palatibility. A forage test by your local ag school will
verify this and will serve as ammunition to bargain for a good
deal. 

-- 
Austin Moseley       amoseley@csac.com  800.225.6204.x245
Texas Bison Company  Caddo Mills, TX
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