[AT] OT Hay question

[Dean Vinson]

Thanks for the great explanation!

Dean Vinson
www.vinsonfarm.com
Dayton OH

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "toma" <toma at risingnet.net>
To: "Antique tractor email discussion group" <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Monday, July 10, 2006 4:36 PM
Subject: Re: [AT] OT Hay question


> Where I am here on the central coast of California is Oat country. Oats 
> was grown here primarily for seed. Alfalfa won't grow here near the coast 
> so most planted hay is cut from Oats, sometimes Oats and Vetch. For some 
> reason Wheat has never been grown here commercially although I grew some 
> back in the '90's and it did well.
>
> When cut for hay Oats is cut in the milk stage. After it heads out and 
> when the grain is squeezed between the fingers and a little milk squirts 
> out. One family here used to cut it in the dough stage, by then the stalks 
> have tuned a golden color. When cut in the milk stage the stalks are still 
> green with a little red.
>
> There seems to be quite a bit of latitude in when to cut. Ours was in the 
> milk for a while before we cut it. I was afraid it might rain so we held 
> off for a while. I planted it on a cousins place and they were happy to 
> have us plant it just to keep the brush down. They are great hunters so we 
> left a corner behind for rent. Deer love oats and they may get some bucks 
> out of there. The oats I left behind is still in the milk and it is 2 
> weeks since we cut. As I said it is cool climate here, that is probably 
> why oats does so well here, it has a long time to fill.