Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

Hay fields left over the winter

Hi there,

I have some orchard grass pastures that were left over the winter from the last growing season. Now they are all under about 4 feet of snow.

Is it worth while to cut and bale the hay in the spring, or simply roll it and over-seed with some cover crops to give it a new life? Fields have not been used for grazing for a few years.

Thanks

Views: 344

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Harry Stam on March 3, 2016 at 2:09am

Greg,

The question you asked cannot be answered correctly without more information. What exactly do you want with these pastures? Do you want to keep them as pastures? Orchard grass can be fertilized in the spring to increase volumes or you can broadcast some legumes to make it a more pasture mix type of crop. You can no-till oats into the standing hay and allow it to grow to add volume. It all depends on what you want the pasture land to do, If the land is flat and level no-tilling is a possibility unless there is too much cover crop to start with. However if the crop is too thick I would question why you would need to do anything. Run the cattle in and let them harvest.

Harry 

▶ Reply to Discussion

RSS

Agriculture Headlines from Farms.com Canada East News - click on title for full story

U.S.-Canada Trade War Escalates-How 50% Tariffs Could Impact American Farmers

A breakdown in U.S.-Canada trade negotiations has triggered new 50% tariffs and threatened one of agriculture's most important trading relationships. American farmers may soon feel the effects through higher costs, disrupted supply chains, and growing uncertainty in export markets.

U.S.-Canada Trade War Escalates: How 50% Tariffs Could Impact American Farmers

A breakdown in U.S.-Canada trade negotiations has triggered new 50% tariffs and threatened one of agriculture's most important trading relationships. American farmers may soon feel the effects through higher costs, disrupted supply chains, and growing uncertainty in export markets.

U.S.-Canada Trade War Escalates: How 50% Tariffs Could Impact American Farmers

A breakdown in U.S.-Canada trade negotiations has triggered new 50% tariffs and threatened one of agriculture's most important trading relationships. American farmers may soon feel the effects through higher costs, disrupted supply chains, and growing uncertainty in export markets.

Canadian Farmers Face Fresh Uncertainty After Canada-U.S. Trade Talks End Without Deal

The failure of Canada and the United States to reach a new trade agreement before the latest deadline has sparked concern across the agriculture sector

U.S. Opens Door to Additional Beef Imports in Bid to Lower Ground Beef Prices

U.S. has unveiled a temporary measure allowing additional imported beef into the United States without higher tariff penalties.

© 2026   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service