Growing
Weed and Pest Control
Weed Control
Weeds in hay reduce the quality because they add material that is lower in nutritional value, palatability and digestibility. You have spent time making sure your soil has the correct nutritional content for your hay, you don't want weeds robbing yields and soil nutrients, such as Nitrogen that your hay crop needs to flourish! Some weeds can also be harmful or toxic to your animals so be sure to check with neighbors and your extension agent if you cannot identify toxic plants.
Insect Control
Just like in a garden, bugs and other pests can cause damage to the overall health of your hay crop. Make sure that you are aware of different pests and the various methods of pest management that are available in your area. There are many options to manage problem insects and pests. Talk to your local agricultural retailer and extension agent to get some tips on building a pest management plan.
Integrated Pest Management Information from the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service