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The first cutting in the spring should be when grass has greened up and reached 12 – 16 inches tall. This should clean up all the old growth of winter weeds and such. Then each subsequent cutting is at 3.5 to 5 week intervals.
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 you cut hay too early?
An Alberta Agriculture beef specialist warns that hay needs to be completely cured before being baled. Recent high temperatures, resulting in quick drying conditions, have some producers heading out to bale within two to four days after cutting.
How tall should grass be to Bale?
Cut at the proper height – 2-4 inches for alfalfa; 3-4 inches for grass or legume/grass mixtures. Grasses (with the exception of ryegrasses and bluegrasses) need a slightly higher cutting height because of the energy that many store in the stem bases for regrowth.
How long should hay sit before baling?
As a rule of thumb, wait to rake hay until after the dew has dried and the sun nears its peak, or around 11:00 am. If possible, let the raked hay sit for an hour or two before baling to allow more drying time. Haymakers have several types of rakes available.
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.
Why do farmers bale hay at night?
The key is to have the humidity inside the windrow at roughly 70 percent. As humidity approaches 50 percent moisture on the outside of the windrow hay can become dry enough to shatter leaves, while the leaves on the bottom are tough enough to hold together. Baling at night is nice if your climate will allow.
Is it better to cut hay in the morning or afternoon?
In fact, continued respiration can account for 2-16% in dry matter losses. Of course, it is also critical to get the hay dry before the next rain. 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.
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 soon can you bale hay after cutting?
Proper dry matter content for chopping haylage can often be achieved within 24 hours as compared to three to four days for dry hay.
When should you Ted hay?
Initial tedding should be performed after a brief wilting period following a morning cutting while the hay is still moist (two to four hours). In very damp conditions, tedding may need to be done immediately after cutting. A second pass is usually done the next day, and the hay is raked and baled that afternoon.
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.
What is the most efficient way to cut hay?
However, disc mowers can mow hay at a much faster speed, and requires less manpower than a sickle-bar. A disc mower can save you money in that it doesn’t need a lot of manpower, and the blades don’t dull easily when they hit a rock. Sickle-bars dull easily, and need to be replaced to be more effective in mowing hay.
Can hay be 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 Ted hay with dew on it?
If drying conditions are lousy and rain is coming or hay is heavy may ted a second time. This is for any type, grass or legume or mix, if lots of legume use slow rpm and do it with dew on. Often times you only have a few hour window to do it right.
