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Re: Seed ahy and other alternatives

Anitaspov@aol.com wrote:
> 
> I've been wonderinf if anyone has any data comparing warm season grass
> (WSG)hay to the common modern types of hay.  I'd like to find the hays
> nutritional values and the cost comparison.  I'm interested so I can show
> neighboring farmers that there is value in "those weeds".  I would think pound
> per acre may be increased in WSG hay?  The fact that the hay matures later
> thus baled after nesting season and busy planting  crop times should be a
> bonus in itself.   I know most miss the quail and pheasant and would like to
> help ensure their survival.  Anyone???
> Thanks.    anita. point of view farm

Quality of native hay depends on two factors - when it was cut and 
when it was last burned. Here in NE TX hay is cut once per year
on about July 4. The later in the year it is cut, the lower 
the quality. For unburned hay, big and little bluestem is 8-9%,
switchgrass is 9-11%, and E. Gamagrass is 13-16% protein and TDN 
is in the high 60%. 

For burned hay, add 2-4% onto the protein, and add 10% onto the TDN.

Two months later, subtract 4% from these. TDN is about the same.

All native hay tests very high in minerals compared to other pernnial
forages, 
and similar to Alfalfa in this regard. 

For NE TX, burned (in Febraury) unfertilized native hay cut in July
tests the same as or
higher than fertilized bermuda from adjoining fields in protein and TDN
and 
minerals. The yield is a bit less over the whole year. This is on 
Houston Black Clay.

Of course, the native fields had *no* inputs. These types yields
are documented for the last 100 years. ( SHH. Don't tell the
chemical companies. )

There is a lot of literature detailing increased gains and descrease 
costs for livestock run on burned native prairies. 

To give the wildlife a chance, split the haying - on half in july, the
other in August.

Email with address and I will send photcopies.

-Austin
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