Grazing and hay fields

[goldypops]

To maximise hay supply from my field next year (hoping for more rain and growth!!!!) Is it better to graze the regrowth on a hay field and then shut it up at christmas for next years hay or is it better to not graze it at all???? My thinking is to graze off the grass rather than let a mat of dying down grass stunt next years growth but am I right???

 

[proctor]

Yes your quite right. Grass just turns to water during the winter and if it's too long, it will only go "off". It's best to eat it down now (not you personally!!) and allow next years spring grass to get a head start.

 

[goldypops]

Thanks thats what I thought - already eating into my winter grazing field so if I can graze the hay field in a couple of months then that will help!!!