Growing Hay - Ask Extension
Hi, I live on a 6 acre property with about 1 acre of open pasture that is currently just growing wild native grasses and weeds. I am interested in see...
Knowledgebase
Growing Hay #589678
Asked August 16, 2019, 3:42 PM EDT
Hi, I live on a 6 acre property with about 1 acre of open pasture that is currently just growing wild native grasses and weeds. I am interested in seeding with pasture grasses that I can use to feed my goats, tortoises, poultry, or also to bale hay for cattle and horses. Where do I get started? What kind of soil testing is recommended? I don't think it's worth buying hay equipment but I hope to possibly connect with a farmer who would want to use the land in exchange for some of the hay it produces. `
El Paso County Colorado
Expert Response
Hello,
First I recommend determining what grasses/plants are currently growing in the field. They may be grasses that are palatable and perfect for hay or pasture. Or perhaps the field just needs some weeds managed.
Is the field irrigated? If not, it will probably not be very productive because of lack of moisture. If this is the case, it would make more sense to graze it, then to try and make hay.
There are many Colorado-specific resources to get you started:
CO Extension Small Acreage website - https://sam.extension.colostate.edu/
CO Forage Guide - https://sam.extension.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2016/07/forage-guide.pdf
Reseeding Guidelines for small acreages - https://sam.extension.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2016/07/seeding-plan.pdf
Please feel free to contact me directly for more site-specific recommendations or questions.
