Parson, Kansas —
Bales and stacks of hay left in the middle of fields have to be removed sometime. After the final cutting for the year, it may not matter too much if they set there for a while. But when more harvests are expected off that field, delaying removal can be harmful.
One problem is directly under the bale or stack. Plants underneath often are killed if covered for more than a week or two. This may not hurt yield too much, but makes for a great place for weeds to get started. And you know how they can spread.
Most of the damage, though, is due to wheel traffic on the regrowth. Studies have shown that when fields are dry, plants driven on before regrowth occurs yield about 5 to 7 percent less at next cutting. It gets much worse if you wait to remove bales.
Just seven days after cutting, when regrowth shoots had started to grow, yield was reduced over 25 percent and fewer of these plants survived. And worse yet is removing bales when fields are wet. Then wheel traffic causes much more compaction. When this happens, yield loss typically exceeds 30 percent.
These studies emphasize the benefits of baling and removing bales from hay fields as quickly as possible after cutting as well as minimizing driving on wet soils. They also suggest that following the same trail when removing bales or stacks from fields can reduce losses from wheel tracks by limiting the total area damaged.
Hay fields must be driven on, of course, to remove bales after harvest. But you can lessen damage by controlling where, when and how often you drive.
Crops
Delaying hay bale removal can be harmful
- Crops
-
-
Unpredictable weather requires corn management
Bob Nielsen suggested that corn growers should look at a variety of management techniques to give crops the best chance at success - regardless of the weather.
-
Herbicides affected by spray water pH
A series of studies at Purdue University has shown that spray water pH and hardness can reduce the effectiveness of herbicides, making it vitally important for crop producers to test water sources.
-
Assessing winter wheat for spring nitrogen application
Wheat requires good growth in both the fall and spring to realize its yield potential. In the fall, the wheat plant needs to develop a vigorous root system and several healthy tillers.
-
Warm weather should not harm Kansas wheat crop
Jim Shroyer, Research and Extension agronomist at Kansas State University, says that despite the warm temperatures, winter wheat still has winterhardiness and can withstand colder weather.
-
Post-drought forage recovery discussed
The extreme heat and drought last summer not only took their toll on producers but also on cropland and pastureland.
-
Mild weather causes concern for wheat crop
Unusually mild and wet conditions in December and early January caused wheat to green up and created concern about whether the wheat is more susceptible to cold injury if temperatures were to drop sharply.
-
USDA decodes corn defenses for improved pest resistance
A clearer picture of corn's biochemical responses to insect and fungal attacks is emerging.
-
Farmers show optimism for 2012 Kan. wheat crop
Rain and snow events the last two weeks of December have put the 2012 Kansas wheat crop in good shape.
-
Wheat growers should address top-dress needs
Wheat producers should be making plans to accurately assess their crops’ topdress nitrogen requirements.
-
MU specialist discusses using wheat straw as an alternative winter feed
Wheat straw is not a high protein or energy source, but if supplemented properly it can be used for bred cows in five and six body condition scores.
- More Crops Headlines
-
Unpredictable weather requires corn management
