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To test its readiness, grab a clump of hay and hold one end of the clump in each hand. Pull vigorously with both hands. If the stalks break on the first pull, the hay is ready to bale. If it takes several pulls, it’s still too green.
How do I know if my hay is dry enough to bale?
Breaking stems in half or twisting them in a circular motion to see if the stems break cleanly will give farmers the go-ahead to bale. “If all the stems break and crack that’s an indication that the hay is cured and then you can rely on the moisture test that you’re getting from the probe,” Yaremcio said.
How early can you bale hay?
Wait until you have 3 days of dry weather so you can cure and bale the hay without it getting wet.
How do you know when hay is ready to cut?
Therefore, the best time to do any cutting is when grasses have reached what is called the “late boot stage”. This stage is typically reached after 6 to 8 weeks of growth in the spring or 6 to 8 weeks after a previous cutting. The “late boot stage” is when the seed head of the grasses first pops out of the sheath.
Can hay get too dry to bale?
While hay with exceptionally low moisture might not be at risk of growing mold and bacteria, that’s because much of that hay’s nutritional value is already gone. When hay is too dry before baling, the leaves of the forage become stiff and brittle, making them much more likely to fall off.
Can you cut and bale hay the same day?
In a trial at the University of Wisconsin Arlington Research Station (Figure 2) where alfalfa was put into a wide swath it reached 65 percent moisture in about eight hours and could be harvested for haylage the same day as cutting.
Why do farmers bale hay at night?
Hay Master Night baling is an option to have enough moisture to save the leave when baling. For you and day time baling, the time of day to rake hay is in the morning when the humidity is above 90%.
Why do farmers cut hay at night?
Though starches and simple sugars accumulate during the day, a substantial amount of these carbohydrates are used up during the night for growth and maintenance (via the processes of respiration). Therefore, cutting the crop at night will likely maximize the sugar in the crop, at least at the time of cutting.
Can you make hay in May?
It is good to have an early start date for haying just to get things ready. Shoot for a goal of May 15, in southern areas and May 25, farther north, even though conditions may not be right at that time every year. The first step in haymaking is mowing the hay.
How many times a year can you cut hay?
In most areas of the country, grass hay can be cut twice, sometimes three times, per year. The first cutting generally has the largest yield. Some animals, like sheep, prefer the tender stems of second or third cutting hay.
Is it OK to cut hay in the rain?
When plants are cut for hay, they do not immediately die. As long as moisture is above 40 percent, they will continue to respire – exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide – a process that burns energy. Sometimes, rain will not reduce hay quality significantly if the hay has adequate time to dry and cure prior to baling.
Is it okay to cut hay early in the morning?
With all of these factors in mind, it is best to cut hay when there is the greatest opportunity for successful drying, or early in the morning after the dew has dried off. As the old saying goes, “make hay while the sun shines!”Oct 3, 2017.
How long does a bale of hay stay fresh?
If the hay was of good-quality when harvested and stored in a dry place with sufficient airflow, hay is likely suitable for consumption for two to three years. Keep in mind that hay, even premium forage, loses much of its vitamin content in the first few months of storage.
Can you Overdry hay?
At the other extreme, when using large bales, with some types of hay, you have to very careful baling anything over 15 percent moisture; even 18 percent may be much too high. Too dry, and they shatter and fall off during the baling process. Too wet, and hay will heat and mold.
Should hay be wrapped?
“Producers should use a hay preservative on hay in the 15-30% moisture range rather than attempt to make haylage by bagging or wrapping the bales.”Apr 23, 2014.
Why do farmers leave hay bales in the field?
If they are scattered around the field the farmer is just waiting for a convenient time to pick them up and move them. If lined up along the edge of the field they are being stored there. Big round bales can handle being left outside, and even if the outside looks weathered the inside will be good for a year or longer.
Can you bale hay without raking?
A rake can do this. However, since a rake’s job is to put hay into windrows for baling, it simply piles the hay into swaths once again. Therefore, in moist climates, a tedder, which spreads the hay for increased sun and air exposure, is most likely a necessity.
Do you have to Tedder hay?
It’s essential to ted hay after the first cut in the spring and the last cut in the fall due to the low angle of the sun, ground moisture and morning dew collection. Sometimes it can be skipped midsummer, but usually high summer humidity and the threat of thunderstorms make tedding necessary.
