I have 20 acres that I let a friend mow for the hay. Two weeks ago he cut and raked and was able to roll 20 rolls. Then it rained. And it has rained enough to keep the unrolled hay go through several wet/dry cycles. I'm afraid the rows are killing the grass below the rows and rolls. Should I go ahead and mow the rows or how long should I wait? He has not contacted me due to his mother being put in hospice.
CliffordK
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If it has been raining on the hay for 2 weeks, I doubt there will be any residual value of the hay on the ground.
I can't say if it will be bad for the field. It may depend a bit on whether it was mowed flat, or windrowed.
A brush hog may be able to tear up the hay on the ground a bit, but I'm not sure it is necessary.
I can't say if it will be bad for the field. It may depend a bit on whether it was mowed flat, or windrowed.
A brush hog may be able to tear up the hay on the ground a bit, but I'm not sure it is necessary.
Hay Dude
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Pull up some of the matted down hay and see what color the grass is underneath.
Likely it’ll be yellow or worse, maybe brown.
I’d rotary mow it to keep it from killing your grass stand. Raked up rows are bad to leave set for that long.
Guy probably has his hands full with sick mother.
Likely it’ll be yellow or worse, maybe brown.
I’d rotary mow it to keep it from killing your grass stand. Raked up rows are bad to leave set for that long.
Guy probably has his hands full with sick mother.
Finally talked to him today.
His wife was in a wreck and broke her back. In hospital for a week. Has to carry her to PT 3 times a week. She is staying with her sister 35 miles away from home for recovery. Brother had surgery this week for infection from kidney stone surgery. Mother transfer to nursing home then hospital due to respitory problems. His rake broke and had to buy a new one. His bailer broke and had to have it fixed. Plus, he has a full time job moving mail in a truck. He has a 3 week old baby along with the other 3 less than 6 years old. Damn! Did I forget anything?
His wife was in a wreck and broke her back. In hospital for a week. Has to carry her to PT 3 times a week. She is staying with her sister 35 miles away from home for recovery. Brother had surgery this week for infection from kidney stone surgery. Mother transfer to nursing home then hospital due to respitory problems. His rake broke and had to buy a new one. His bailer broke and had to have it fixed. Plus, he has a full time job moving mail in a truck. He has a 3 week old baby along with the other 3 less than 6 years old. Damn! Did I forget anything?
Southernspeed
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Sounds like a good country and western song.
But seriously, how can one guy have so much bad luck at once!
super55
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Definitely below where the round bales are there is probably yellow or dead grass. As for the windrows, I'm guessing it is laying pretty flat by now. As others posted it probably has minimal feed value so at this point it would be baled to get it off the field and used for maybe mulch or bedding.
I'd ask this guys intentions if he plans to bale the rest. I can about assure it won't be on the priority list. Best option would probably run a bush hog set high right down the middle of the row and spread it out. If he wants it he can come back and rake again real quick and then bale it.
I'd ask this guys intentions if he plans to bale the rest. I can about assure it won't be on the priority list. Best option would probably run a bush hog set high right down the middle of the row and spread it out. If he wants it he can come back and rake again real quick and then bale it.
Several years ago I had a similar situation, cut grass left
un-baled. Solution: rake it off then mow the entire field.
How much of the 20ac did your friend get baled?
After 2 weeks the cut grass that wasn't baled needs to be
either raked off and pushed into the woods or bale it to
throw away.
Unless you're just talking about a couple of
windrows left. You might try mowing over them to help chop
it up as others have stated. But leaving it there will definitely
kill what grass is covered.
No hay rake? You can carefully use a landscape rake to pull
to the edge of your fields the un-baled grass. Then mow over
the entire field. If you just mow over the grass and hope it goes
away....well, it will....eventually. But the next time you rake to bale
hay you'll have an abundance of thatch getting baled.....not good.
Try to rake it off your field.
un-baled. Solution: rake it off then mow the entire field.
How much of the 20ac did your friend get baled?
After 2 weeks the cut grass that wasn't baled needs to be
either raked off and pushed into the woods or bale it to
throw away.
Unless you're just talking about a couple of
windrows left. You might try mowing over them to help chop
it up as others have stated. But leaving it there will definitely
kill what grass is covered.
No hay rake? You can carefully use a landscape rake to pull
to the edge of your fields the un-baled grass. Then mow over
the entire field. If you just mow over the grass and hope it goes
away....well, it will....eventually. But the next time you rake to bale
hay you'll have an abundance of thatch getting baled.....not good.
Try to rake it off your field.