Bermuda grass hay has become a product of interest for producers looking to increase hay yields in the hot summer months. The Quality Forage program out of northwest Arkansas led by University of Arkansas Extension Agent Robert Seay, has prompted regional producers to take Bermuda hay to a new level. With relative feed scores exceeding 100, Seay believes with the right methods, bermuda hay can be a viable option for regional producers looking to get the most out of their pastures and their hay crop.
Early Management is Key
“The thing that we’ve always said is bermuda grass has to be managed similar to a racehorse. To get a quick jump out of the starting blocks, you better have it clean and ready to go. Planning to get around to doing something in May, well, you’ve waited too long,” Seay said.
Bermuda grass is a warm season grass, and it’s really not going to do much until night temperatures reach 60 degrees. While bermuda grass is dormant producers need to clean their field off, eliminate everything that’s green, Seay said. Use Roundup as a green burn down, and get it done by mid-March, Seay recommended. “Later than that and you’ll harm it, and set it back, and then it isn’t ready to go when it comes to competition. Bermuda grass is the weakest kid on the block. Anything that competes with it for sunlight, moisture or fertility serves to weaken it. It’s a plant that loves full sunlight.
“Sometimes there’s a price to pay for weed control. I encourage producers, they really need to get a jump start with burn down herbicide.”
Fertilizing Bermuda
Seay noted he’s seeing more and more people cutting back on nitrogen and potassium. “If you’re cutting back, it’s even more imperative you get the most out of your fertilizer, and the best way is to keep competition down. Bermuda grass doesn’t need to compete for fertilizer, sunlight and moisture.”
The good thing about bermuda? You treat it well, it will treat you well, Seay says. “Bermuda grass is very responsive. If you do something favorable for it, in a day or two’s time you can see it respond. That’s a pretty good motivational tool, especially when producers are putting money out there.
Addressing Bermuda Hay Problems
Every hay producer knows each year varies in the hay field. There’s the years when rainfall is more of an enemy than a friend, like last year, Seay remembered. “That really affects the market, for a quality hay product. People who want to buy a quality hay product, want it to smell like quality hay should smell. Horse producers are especially finicky. Years like the last two we’ve faced, producing hay free of mold and mildew has been a challenge. I was surprised this year (in our Quality Forage program) when we had producers enter 124 hay samples. I had told the producer committee if we get 50 good samples this year I’ll be surprised. The more I traveled and dug through hay barns, the average quality looked pretty good considering the year we had. I’m always amazed at what producers can do.”
And, with advancements in hay production, technology might be helping some. Seay mentioned different types of hay conditioners and preservatives, that cure out in the bale.
“If (producers) want repeat business, they have to deliver a quality product,” Seay warned.
“Hay preservatives allow us to bale hay a little more damp than we normally would. Bermuda hay that’s a little more damp will stay in the windrow a lot better. You can windrow more hay. It’s odd tricks of the trade people learn from experience,” Seay said.
Varieties
The varieties desired have changed over time. And the desired variety for a producer will also vary based on the needs of the pastures as well. “The Greenfield variety is very common, it’s been around 55 years or so. It’s the single variety that’s won nine consecutive national contests for us. When we talk quality, we talk Greenfield and work down. But now, with fertilizer in the picture, if a producer is going into hay production, they really should look at hybrids. Any of the hybrids will produce 1/3 more than Greenfield off the same fertilizer input.
If a person’s looking at bermuda hay for the long haul, and if they’re going in from scratch, use a variety with that type of efficiency. The downside of bermuda grass, you can’t go and kill it out and start over very fast. If converting a fescue hay field to bermuda grass, I encourage producers to look long and hard at hybrids because of long term efficiency with fertilizer. As producers learn to manage Ozark, Midland-99 and other varieties, they (see them) nipping Greenfield’s heels as far as quality.”
Bermuda – Not Your Average Hay
“The first time a producer starts working with bermuda grass, it’s a different animal. They have to change haying patterns, change the speed they operate at certain times of the year. It’s like alfalfa, if they don’t pick up that leaf, they’re leaving quality on the field,” Seay said.
With bermuda grass, Seay noted, by July and August, common varieties begin to lose size and volume, and a lot of bermuda grass gets left on the field. Hybrids are taller with more bulk to them, and are easier to hay than common types, especially in summer, when common types shorten up, Seay said.
The Quality Forage producers and sponsors will be holding their annual Quality Forage Program in Bentonville, Ark., March 6, 2010. Call Robert Seay for more information at 1-479-271-1060.
