What is the best fertilizer for Timothy hay?

The most common and effective granular N fertilizer for broadcast application onto timothy was ammonium nitrate (34-0-0).

What is the best fertilizer to put on hay field?

Commonly used N fertilizers for grass hay production include urea, or ammonium sulfate. Urea, with 46% N, is the most concentrated commercial source but must be applied shortly before rain or irrigation to prevent significant loss of the N to the atmosphere as volatile ammonia.

How often should I fertilize my hay field?

Applying fertilizer just once, annually, would not add essential nutrients back into the soil at the necessary ratios after the hay has been harvested or the pasture grazed clean after a livestock rotation into it. On average, you can harvest around four tons of hay annually from each acre – in a decent growing year.

Does timothy hay have nitrogen?

Optimum nitrogen fertilizer rates and spring soil test for first cutting. First-cutting timothy hay for export is harvested at anthesis stage (first heading). Timothy yield peaked around 5 tons per acre with 80 to 120 pounds nitrogen per acre treatment depending on the year.

Can you overseed timothy?

Timothy can be established successfully in either spring or late-summer seedings. However, fall seedings are more successful because the cool fall weather is more suitable for timothy growth, and weeds are less of a problem.

Which Hay is Right For Your Rabbit?

When Should timothy be cut for hay?

1st cut Timothy is cut in June and July. It has a beautiful green color, has more stem and seed heads than the other cuts. It is high in fiber and is cut early so there is plenty of nutrition in the hay.

How much timothy seed should I put on per acre?

Seeding depth of Timothy should be 1⁄2 inch. A firm, weed-free seedbed is a key to a successful planting. Common seeding rates are 8 to 10 pounds/acre when seeded alone and 4 to 6 pounds/acre when seeded in mixtures.

Is horse manure good for hay fields?

Manure is an excellent nutrient source for fertilizing hay fields, especially with current high fertilizer prices. Topdressing hay fields with manure can build soil fertility with on-farm resources and help expand acres for spreading.

Is Timothy hay the same as timothy grass?

Timothy Grass has a slightly higher protein and is greener in appearance. Timothy Hay is a mix of leaves and stems from Timothy grass, which is a perennial bunch grass. Timothy Hay is high in fiber and low in protein which is a combination critical to the health of rabbits and other small animals.

Is Timothy hay hard to grow?

It is hardy, and when cut for hay has a very low moisture content, making it more resilient to mold and rot when baled or stored. Timothy hay has a pleasing fragrance and good nutritional value. It is commonly mixed with other feedstocks. Growing timothy grass is straightforward and simple.

How do you maximize hay production?

Rake or ted at 40-50% moisture content.

Raking and tedding the forage while it is still pliable helps to reduce leaf loss and maintain forage quality. Once the moisture content is below 40%, leaf loss increases, especially in legumes such as alfalfa and clover.

Is it better to fertilize hay fields in the fall or spring?

Timing of fertilizer application is everything. Most hayfields in the upper Midwest are seeded with cool season grasses such as smooth brome, crested wheat grass or intermediate wheat grass. Getting the fertilizer in place prior to plant growth in the spring is ideal.

How can I improve the quality of my hay?

How many pounds of fertilizer do you need per acre for pasture?

Grass Needs N

Nitrogen fertilizer should be considered for a grass dominant pasture. Research indicates that the first 30 to 50 pounds per acre of nitrogen are used most efficiently and that split applications of this amount generally maximize yield.

What does phosphorus do for hay fields?

Hay generally removes between 8-16 lbs P2O5/acre for one ton of hay (depending on your soil type). Optimal rates of phosphorus also increase leaf content of magnesium and calcium further enhancing photosynthesis and the quality of hay. Nitrogen use efficiency is also significantly increased by P fertilization.

What kind of fertilizer is 10/10 10?

10-10-10 is considered an all-purpose, balanced fertilizer that you can use for all kinds of plants and situations. The numbers 10-10-10 represent the amounts of Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus(P) and Potassium(K) - or as they're commonly known, NPK.

How long does timothy hay take to grow?

Tip on Timothy Grass Growing

Timothy grass is generally sown in spring or summer. It takes 50 days to establish for harvesting in most climates. The best time to plant late crops is six weeks or more prior to the first fall frost, which gives the stand enough time to establish before cold weather.

Is timothy hay good for cattle?

Timothy hay is recommended by many experts due to its ease on various animal's digestive system as well as promotion of bowel regularity. Additionally, there have been scientific studies done that show Timothy hay is an ideal feed for pregnant or lactating cows.

Is timothy hay or alfalfa better for rabbits?

When looking at which type of hay to feed a rabbit or guinea pig, Timothy hay and Meadow hay are often considered the better and healthier options. Alfalfa is known as a great hay for baby rabbits, as it contains higher calcium and protein levels to help support healthy growth and development.

Why do farmers use fertilizers instead of manure?

Farmers turn to fertilizers because these substances contain plant nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Fertilizers are simply plant nutrients applied to agricultural fields to supplement required elements found naturally in the soil. Fertilizers have been used since the start of agriculture.

What time of year can you spread manure?

Late winter/spring is the best time of year to spread as this is when crops are most likely to be able to take up nutrients, so you can maximise yields, reduce fertiliser costs and minimise nutrient losses to the environment. Spread when your crops need nutrients to grow - usually late winter/spring and summer.

Is cow manure high in nitrogen?

Cow manure is a great all-purpose fertilizer. It's low in nitrogen so it won't burn your tender plants, and has a good balance of nutrients.

How do you plant timothy?

Rake to incorporate the planting site of the seeds in the soil. Sow the seeds no more than 1/2 inches deep. Slowly moisten the soil and keep it moist until the seeds germinate. For growing timothy hay, sow seeds in spring or late summer, you can also plant seeds in early fall.

Is timothy or orchard grass better for horses?

Orchardgrass and timothy hay are both excellent, but orchard grass gets the nod as the best of the two. It has a higher protein and calorie content and balanced levels of calcium and phosphorus.

What is the best seed for hay?

Alfalfa- It is probably the best high quality feed for livestock and as a cash crop but it requires deep, well drained soils and high fertility for high yields. While it can be used for grazing, it is best adapted for hay or silage.