Crop rotation

[cattails]

I know farmers rotate between corn and beans, if they grow hay is that always constant or do they mix it up

 

[Weimdogman]

If it's Alfalfa it may be in rotation but not a every other year type rotation. Alfalfa will add some nitrogen back to a field and if the farmer needs hay or has a market for it you may see corn go to Alfalfa for a few years. Corn is the cash crop king so it wins out.

 

[WDH]

A hay crop that is planted, such as hay barley, oats, triticale, millet.... could be included in a crop rotation. Hay such as alfalfa and grass are usually long term (several years to permanent) as it might take a year or two to get established enough to cut.

 

[That1uncle1776]

Barley,oats and millet will often have a winter cover crop.

 

[Golden Hour]

Alfalfa - minimum two years, often three or can be up to six. If the plan is to rotate back to corn/beans.

My favorite piece of public ground used to have corn and beans by it and the past three years has been alfalfa. I don't shoot as many pheasants there now. Feels like I should be consulted on these things. lol

 

[Weimdogman]

Alfalfa used to be a great crop for pheasants now it is a death trap. The equipment moves so fast that hens and young birds don't get out of the way in time.