Growing Timothy Hay

Growing timothy hay

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 easy to grow?

Timothy hay growing should be done on a flat area that receives partial shade. This cool season grass is undemanding and doesn't require any special care.

When should Timothy hay be harvested?

The best time to collect Timothy is just prior to bloom. If harvested as hay, timothy typically requires at least 50 days of growth before the stage suitable for development. Subsequent collections usually require 30-40 days between harvests.

Will timothy grass spread?

Timothy is a relatively short-lived, introduced perennial grass that grows in stools or clumps. It spreads via seed distribution. It is not considered a "weedy" or invasive species, but can spread into adjoining vegetative communities under ideal climatic and environmental conditions.

What state is best to grow timothy hay?

Below are growing regions known in North America for producing the highest quality Timothy hay:

• Lethbridge, AB, CA. Lethbridge is the largest city in southern Alberta, and Alberta's fourth largest city by population.
• Ellensburg, WA, USA. ...
• McArthur, CA. ...
• Eureka, NV. ...
• Winnemucca, NV. ...
• Madras, OR.

How many cuttings of timothy hay per year?

Timothy grass usually yields just two cuttings per year and requires a significant amount of water to grow.

How many pounds of timothy 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.

What is the fastest growing hay crop?

Teff is a self-pollinated, warm season annual grass which can be harvested multiple times during the growing season as dry hay, silage or pasture. As a fast-growing crop, Teff combines excellent forage quality with high yield during a relatively short growing season.

Can you plant timothy in the fall?

Spring and fall are typical seasons for seeding grass, but timothy is best planted in late summer or fall. Timothy's optimum germination temperature is approximately 65 degrees. By the time that soil warms up to 65 degrees in the spring, weeds and other grasses will be germinating and growing rapidly.

What is the difference between timothy hay and 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.

What is the best way to plant timothy hay?

How to Grow Timothy Grass

1. Clean the area you want to plant, tilling the soil lightly with a hoe and removing all other weeds that might compete with your Timothy seeds.
2. Check your seeds before you plant them.
3. Now sprinkle the seeds on the area in an even manner. ...
4. Don't push the seeds too deep into the soil.

Does hay grow back every year?

Some fields are always used to grow hay, and don't require re-planting every year. In other cases, hay is a part of a crop rotation, where farmers plant different crops on the same field in different years. Hayseed can be a mixture of many types of seeds, with alfalfa, clover, and timothy being among the most common.

Where is timothy hay grown in the USA?

Timothy is popular in the northern half of Pennsylvania and most of New York State because of its natural adaptation to moist, cool environments. Table 1. Characteristics of perennial cool-season grasses in the Northeast.

What month do you plant hay?

Planting in mid-September through early November could produce stands with visible plants before the first frost. The later you wait to plant, the less likely there will be a visible plant by the first frost. Frost seeding is designed for the change between winter and spring.

What is the easiest hay to grow?

Depending on your needs, plant grass, alfalfa, or a mixture of the 2 for use as hay after growing.

• Grass hay is generally more nutritious than alfalfa hay for livestock, but alfalfa has more fiber.
• If you choose grass hay, timothy grass is ideal for growing and harvesting hay.

How much hay can 1 acre produce a year?

For us here in the Midwest, a mixed grass/legume hay can yield anywhere from one to five tons per acre for a full season. In our mixed hay field, on good soils, we plan on four tons per acre, with half or more of that in the first cutting and the remainder in second, third, and sometimes even fourth cuttings.

What is better 1st cut or 2nd cut Timothy hay?

First cutting timothy is generally going to have more stem (and less leaf as a percentage of the hay) than a 2nd cutting or 3rd cutting timothy. Since the stem contains more fiber than leaves, first cutting also has a good deal more fiber content than the later cuttings, while having less protein and fat content.

What is the difference between 1st cut and 2nd cut Timothy hay?

Hay is often cut three or more times each season. The first cutting in any cut will have thicker stems, perhaps have flowers (usually called tassel), and is the highest in fiber of any cut. The second cutting is softer, greener, has a higher protein but lower fiber than first cutting.

What is timothy hay worth?

Premium to high Premium domestic retail timothy hay in the Northern California Mountains and in the Diamond Valley of Nevada sold from $347 to $350 per ton for current to extended movement.

How long does a bale of timothy hay last?

If stored properly in a cool dark place with good ventilation, the Timothy Hay Food may keep for 6 months or longer. 11.

10 Growing timothy hay Images