NATIVE GRASS AND COASTAL HAY 
NATIVE GRASS HAY
The rains and the mild weather have been good to us in the past. We had a bumper crop of hay, more than we could use. Even though we are approaching drought conditions, we were able to bale hay in our native grass field. The amount of rain will always determine our future sales and availability.
Our native grass hay is grown on seven acres adjacent to our land. It can be seen in the background of the picture to the right. This native grass hay contains little bluestem. According to Frank W. Gould in his book Common Texas Grasses,"...little bluestem provides good grazing for all types of livestock...The presence of vigorous stand of little bluestem on a range is a general indication of good land and good managment."
We do not use pesticides on our native grass hay field. We control weeds by mowing before they have a chance to seed themselves out. We usually mow a month to six weeks before it is baled. Our hay is custom baled. It is never baled wet, nor once it is baled, it is not allowed to sit in the field overnight. In this way we are able to keep fire ants from invading. It is stored in our barn on pallets to keep it dry. We use this hay for our own horses and sheep. We have sold it for sheep, horses and cattle.
COASTAL HAY
In addition to the native grass hay, we have leased a nearby field of coastal hay. In past years it was fertilized and herbicides were applied. In spite of the near drought conditions, we have been able to get hay off this field, even though it was baled later in the season than we would have liked. Once it was cut and baled, this hay was not rained on, nor was it in the field long after baling. It sits in our barn on pallets to insure it stays dry. We will sell a few bales reserving the rest for our own use. All square bales will sell for $3.50/bale.
