Feasibility of Harvesting Hay on Highway Right-of-Way

Mowing operations are becoming increasingly expensive for state highway departments. Our objective was to examine the feasibility of private harvesting of hay along highway right-of-ways. State highway departments within the 48 contiguous states were surveyed. Forage along Interstates 65 and 70 in Indiana was harvested for determination of yield, quality, and heavy metal concentrations. An economic analysis evaluated the cost-return relationship of a hay harvesting program along the interstate highways. Harvesting of hay on some highway right-of-way was allowed by 18 states after geographic, legal, economic, traffic safety, and contamination concerns were resolved. The major species present along Indiana highways were tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.). Yields of hay in Indiana were variable, due primarily to differences in maturity at harvest and to aftermath remaining from the previous year. Dry matter yields from areas which has been routinely harvested in the past averaged 0.53 and 0.80 tons/acre for the median and shoulder edge positions, respectively. Forage produced on highway right-of-ways was variable in digestibility (30.2 to 72.9%) and crude protein concentration (4.3 to 12.1%). Heavy metal concentrations (e.g. Pb) were not high enough to be a major concern. Most of the Pb was on the surface of the plant and averaged 10.6 ppm forage dry wt. An economic analysis indicated that a combination of above-average yields (greater than 1.5 tons of hay/acre) and above average hay prices (greater than $40/ton) were required for the harvesting program to be feasible. Harvesting hay along roadways in Indiana was not economical, but changes in hay prices and cost of state mowing programs may make it feasible in the future.