By Del Deterling
Contributing Editor
For David Sampson, hay is a crucial part of holding down winter feed costs for his Angus herd.
The Kirksville, Mo., producer uses hay for wintering a 100-cow Angus herd, as well as for backgrounding calves after they are weaned. In addition to 300 acres of pasture, Sampson maintains 270 acres of bromegrass and fescue/red clover pastures for hay production.
His management program includes regular soil tests to ensure grasses have adequate nitrogen, phosphorus and potash. He limes to keep soil pH above 6.0 in brome pastures, which helps improve fertilizer efficiency. Sampson says one ...
