2016 Hay season started for me.

[Creamer]

Wow! We are very dry here but not near that dry. The second cutting of alfalfa just stood there and didn't mature so a lot of people did not cut it hoping we would get rain and it would grow a little more. Now it has bloomed and people are just finishing it. 3rd cutting looks weak and unless we get some serious rain there will not be a fourth at all. Last year some guys got five.

I grew up in the Dakotas so I know what you are talking about when you say dry.

 

[RPW]

We just got a week of rain totaling 6 inches. I had just put up the equipment for the winter but looks like I'll be back in the field in about 3 weeks to get a 3rd cutting.

 

[cat fever]

I am concerned about hay this year. Since I cut/baled it has not rained at my place going on 3 months now. Normally it will rain every 2-3 weeks and keep enough growing that I don't have to feed the cows until October. I have been feeding them now for over a month, there is just nothing in the field for them to eat. Looks like I'll be buying hay, even after my best production year ever.
The guy that lives across the street from me said I could grow hay on his 5 acres. He doesn't want anything in return other than a clean/smooth field. (I can do that) I'm going to do it next year so I don't have to buy hay.

 

[powerscol]

I am concerned about hay this year. Since I cut/baled it has not rained at my place going on 3 months now. Normally it will rain every 2-3 weeks and keep enough growing that I don't have to feed the cows until October. I have been feeding them now for over a month, there is just nothing in the field for them to eat. Looks like I'll be buying hay, even after my best production year ever.
The guy that lives across the street from me said I could grow hay on his 5 acres. He doesn't want anything in return other than a clean/smooth field. (I can do that) I'm going to do it next year so I don't have to buy hay.

Bummer - I am at the opposite - too much rain and too cool to get good growth. Long range forecast looks terrible too with no good dry spell in the future. Sounds like a sweet deal with you neighbor. Be sure to take good care of his field, even fertilize and weed spray for him and a good gift card to somewhere he likes.

 

[PMA]

Best year in long time for me. At least 3 cuttings on all fields.

Sent from my iPhone using TractorByNet

 

[Bigfoot62]

Rolled 149 more 4x5's last week. That's a total of 357 so far, from my 52 acres. Looks like I might get one more cutting. Our problem here has been getting enough days of sunshine in a row to get it cured and baled.

 

[powerscol]

Rolled 149 more 4x5's last week. That's a total of 357 so far, from my 52 acres. Looks like I might get one more cutting. Our problem here has been getting enough days of sunshine in a row to get it cured and baled.

I am in the same boat. Long range forecast says I am at lease 10 day out for 5 days of no rain. As I dont condition it takes longer to cut and dry.

 

[powerscol]

I am concerned about hay this year. Since I cut/baled it has not rained at my place going on 3 months now. Normally it will rain every 2-3 weeks and keep enough growing that I don't have to feed the cows until October. I have been feeding them now for over a month, there is just nothing in the field for them to eat. Looks like I'll be buying hay, even after my best production year ever.
The guy that lives across the street from me said I could grow hay on his 5 acres. He doesn't want anything in return other than a clean/smooth field. (I can do that) I'm going to do it next year so I don't have to buy hay.

Hay Cat - have you ever looked into and Irrigation well? Might be the ticket for your place. If your Agg, the Federal USDA has grants and other cost sharing programs available, Around here they even do the design for free.

 

[powerscol]

Frustrating day. Had showers off and on until yesterday. Got the IH 1300 sickle mower out and tuned it up and tried to cut starting at 3 PM after sun all day. Lower grass was still to wet and clogged badly. Ground is fairly dry below ( have not irrigated for 3 weeks). So fired up the PZ 170 and went to work - no issues seemed to cut fine, but a lot slower than my 9" sickle when it works. I tedded right after cutting, so here is hoping the weather forecast is correct for the next 5 days. Wishing Sun and Wind.

 

[TomSeller]

Days are getting awful short