Prairie Hay Best Managment Practice after Annual Cut

I understand I should only cut my prairie hay once a year in June-July for best protein content.  So, What do I do after the anuual cut?

 

1. Keep running over the hay with the bushog set at 6-8 inches to encourage root devlopment and thicker growth?  I am worried if I cut the hay too low sunlgiht will pentrate the bare spots between clumps and start-up weed growth.

 

2. Dont cut it at all until next spirng then burn it?

 

3.  Let it grow but cut it down to about 6 inches in November to reduce the fuel for fire the next spring?

 

I have a knotweed problem but am loathe to battle it with herbicides as i dont want to kill out any native prairie grasses.  I only use the hay to feed horses.

 

What do you guys think?

 

 

 

 

Prairie Hay Best Managment Practice after Annual Cut