|
Sure have, been doing it since 1982. Got the idea from my dad, they did it back in the 50's. Why do it? For me, its an annual rotational crop that I can use to break up something else with exceptional weed control options, high food value, double cropping potential (lets me get 3 crops in two years) and low input costs. For dry hay, they can be a b--->. Terribly hard to cure. Thats the main reason we didnt do many before 2000. With the stretch film round bale silage you just cant beat them. Why use them for forage? For me, the deciding factor is harvest. I would have to own a combine or hire one. Right now its 35 and acre for combining, plus 1000 to get it to the farm. Trucking is extra. There are two combines in the whole county, this country is just to rolling with too many too small fields that are suitable for big equipment. Corn is the same issue though there are choppers and pickers available though any decent corn picker is at premium money. Chopping wise, thats a huge expense. With beans, I can rent a 10' drill for 7.50 an acre, I dont fertilize beans normally, my P levels are ok, and I hit the double crop small grain heavy with K. Sometimes I lead a small grain crop into them and sometimes I follow with a small grain crop. Depends on what there before.
|
