Watch Orchardgrass Harvest Height

Jun 19, 2015

An article in a recent University of Kentucky forage newsletter shed some light on why orchardgrass hay fields no longer seem to be persisting as they did in the past. According to a survey of forage specialists across the U.S., the number one reason for shorter stand life was low cutting heights.

Low cutting heights were mainly attributable to disc mowers primarily because these mowers allow cutting heights of 1 to 2 inches. Low cutting heights are harmful to orchardgrass because all the leaves needed for photosynthesis and the base of tillers (stems) where carbohydrates are stored for regrowth are removed.

A research experiment on orchardgrass cutting height at the University of Kentucky found that just one season with low cutting heights significantly reduced stand longevity and increased weed infestation, regardless of the addition of fertilizer treatments. The results prove that the recommended cutting height of 3 to 4 inches for orchardgrass and similar grasses is essential to maintain thick, weed free stands.

Source:osu.edu

Video: A chain harrow is a game changer

Utilizing a rotational grazing method on our farmstead with our sheep helps to let the pasture/paddocks rest. We also just invested in a chain harrow to allow us to drag the paddocks our sheep just left to break up and spread their manure around, dethatch thicker grass areas, and to rough up bare dirt areas to all for a better seed to soil contact if we overseed that paddock. This was our first time really using the chain harrow besides initially testing it out. We are very impressed with the work it did and how and area that was majority dirt, could be roughed up before reseeding.

Did you know we also operate a small business on the homestead. We make homemade, handcrafted soaps, shampoo bars, hair and beard products in addition to offering our pasture raised pork, lamb, and 100% raw honey. You can find out more about our products and ingredients by visiting our website at www.mimiandpoppysplace.com. There you can shop our products and sign up for our monthly newsletter that highlights a soap or ingredient, gives monthly updates about the homestead, and also lists the markets, festivals, and events we’ll be attending that month.