Producers began a few years ago taking 2-3 cuttings of hay as summer rains were very plentiful.  Now we have fields that are dragging in yields, very poor stand of cool season grasses, and lacking fertilizer.  

After numerous meetings, numerous farm visits, we began to gather information on;  soil test results, 'weed identification',  loss of production and new but tried and true management practices to get back on track with hay production.  

The old saying repetition is the art of learning was a tactic that helped in this program.  Every time the producers were in the office or on the farm or at the farm store, a ' kind' reminder of how so many fields go in this shape we given to the producer.  A stone in their shoe is what I wanted to think about when they had the thought of cutting hay a second time  At every Cattleman's Association meeting it was brought up again, for every 3/4 of a bale of hay that is removed, they are removing an average of $75 worth of nutrients per acre.  

One producer that has been keeping me up to date with every farm visit or phone call, reported he only made 30 bales of hay off of a 12 acre field 2 years ago.  We employed numerous UK College of Ag publications theories and studies to get this 12 acres back up to where he needed so he could stop buying so much hay. 

Once the producer started taking hold of their hay fields, he started reporting changes in yield as well as in the stand of cool season grasses in their hay fields.  More farm visits were made, bales were counted, and stands were still growing, and a quicker re-growth was seen for an added boost for next years crop.  He was extremely proud that he could show everyone that the UK recommendations work, but one step at a time.   

A partner that is always important to have on our team is the fertilizer and seed dealers.  

He controlled the unwanted grass that had taken over with 2 applications of chemical for a total of $15/acre and he brought up his fertility with 2 very strategic applications with a total cost of $155/acre.  It took 2 years, but he is so happy to report that this years production on 12 acres is 67 bales.  This field and others that he was working on at the same time, are now worth managing each year.