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Conservation hay isn't waste hay.
The attached exchange of correspondence with Dan Lenthall of the USDA's Natural Resource Conservation Service (formerly the Soil Conservation Service) confirms that in our markets "conservation hay" (a term sometimes used to describe hay used for mulch or landscaping or wetlands buffer) is not waste hay. It also suggests a possible distinction between the effects of July and August cut- dates, though I am not aware of documentation.
Date: Tuesday, September 23, 1997 11:57:37
From: SteveElls[at]earthlink[dot]com (Steve Ells)
To: dlenthall@ma.nrcs.usda.gov (Dan Lenthall NRCS)
Subj: Is "Mulch hay" the only alternative to June cuts??
Dan,
Thanks for your draft analysis of Lincoln's fields [Note: included in WAC's Technical Appendix]. We may have some comments shortly, but there is one initial question I thought I'd ask right away.
I was concerned that the document suggests that there are only two choices: conventionally- schedule June mowing and "mulch hay." I am interested in learning how that perception can be changed, and ways to change it. I hope you can suggest some examples.For example, the director of Mass. Audubon's Wachusett Meadow Sanctuary, Joseph Choiniere, has tried to change the perception that hay cut in July is useful only for mulch. He found a ready use for the late-cut (for free) hay with both a dairy farmer (who found it economical to supplement the late-cut hay with other feeds) and with another farmer who sells all he can cut to horse and sheep owners.
Don Buckloh of the Soil Conservation Service commented to me (in 1994) that hayfields can be managed for late cutting and conservation by selecting late-maturing grasses, which better retain nutrient qualities. He said that it all depends on your objective and what you're willing to give up. It's a question of management, he said and added that later-cutting need not affect quality as much as people assume, though the farmer may lose the first cut (premium value?), which occurs in June.
Dan, any advice you can give on how to change the perception of "conservation hay" from that of "mulch hay" or waste hay would be appreciated. A paragraph in the document explaining how (and pointing out markets) would also help.
Steve Ells
39 Todd Pond Rd.
Lincoln MA 01773
Date: Monday, September 22, 1997 7:56:28
From: dlenthall@ma.nrcs.usda.gov
To: SteveElls[at]earthlink[dot]com
Subj: Re: Is "Mulch hay" the only alternative to June cuts??
Steve:
Yes, it is true that late cut hay can be used for feed. It is used as roughage and supplemented with other feed depending upon the nutritional requirements of the animal to be fed. Management decisions and styles can make up the difference in feed quality of the hay. When I use the term mulch hay or conservation hay I do not necessarily mean to emphasis low value hay. Other economic factors come into play. The price of other feed is one consideration. Grain prices vary from year to year. When grain or other feed supplies are high the tendency is to gain as much feed value from hay as possible to reduce the outside costs, when it is cheap the quality of the hay is less critical. When the demand for conservation hay is high, I have known farmers to use their first cut hay for this purpose because the monetary value is higher.
Late cut hay will generally only produce two cuts per year, whereas early cut hay will normally produce three cuts in a given year. The total volume produced is generally less under a two cut system, but not a full third. Late cut is a relative term. You mentioned that you found breeding pairs into August. There is a large difference between delaying harvest from mid-July to early August. There is also a difference when one considers the composition of the stand. A good stand of hay is less affected by a delayed cut than a stand of grass that has "gone past its prime." If the hay has a high percent of weeds, small woody stems and other undesirables then delayed cutting only compounds the problem for animal feed. Late-maturing varieties will improve the nutritional value of the hay. At present time I cannot produce a list of varieties and time that they are best harvested. Weather conditions and soil conditions affect the maturation date of hay crops. I may be able to find some guidelines in the near future.
In summary, "No, mulch hay is not the only alternative to June-cut." It depends upon, economics, cost of alternative feed crops, management scenario, purpose of the hay, animals to be fed, condition of the hay stand, and attitude and market of the individual. There are producers that specialize in conservation or mulch hay because the inputs are less, they have developed their market, and the composition of the hay is less a concern. It should not be considered a low value crop.
Dan Lenthall, NRCS
USDA, Westford MA| Return to Wildlife-friendly Leasing home page |