Hay Making on a Different Scale

[RayIN]

I hear ya Dude! A friend said he has 300A of hay ready to harvest, but can't get a break from the weather.

 

[Hay Dude]

Worst I have seen in a decade+.

 

[LHF2019]

Just sitting here waiting. Straw still on the ground and hopefully get some tomorrow. smoke isn't helping either. seems now smoke early summer from Canada and smoke from the west in late summer.

 

[LHF2019]

Worst I have seen in a decade+.

In what way. Not unusual for us to struggle in June to make hay but when we can get it we expect it every year. I know everybody is behind though this year. Lots of corn not in the ground yet.

 

[Hay Dude]

In what way. Not unusual for us to struggle in June to make hay but when we can get it we expect it every year. I know everybody is behind though this year. Lots of corn not in the ground yet.

In terms of rain for 3 days, sun for 2-3 days, rain for 2 days, etc.

Can’t put together 5 dry days. Now the ground is so wet, even when the sun hits, the ground is real mushy to make dry hay.

June is usually hot & dry in this part of PA.

 

[RayIN]

I forsee a lot of over-ripe grass being put up in July/Aug. Take care of yourselves this summer; dehydration sneaks up on us and it can be a killer.

edited 6/12, 0025hrs. I gave up today and bush-hogged 10A of the bottom hay field this past evening; took me 4 hrs. Rain expected for the next 4 days.
About half of that field was so wet I left wet-looking tire tracks. I accomplished a 2nd mission, cutting off weeds before they go to seed. I had the bush hog set to cut 8" high.
By the time the field is dry the grass will again be 4' high and hopefully dry enough to harvest.

 

[LHF2019]

Got the straw picked up yesterday finally. Turned out better quality wise than expected. 1040 bales. Didn't take a single picture and spent the whole time in the mow. Dodged mud holes and standing water to get it picked up.

 

[EddieWalker]

On average, how long until you're ready for your second cutting?

 

[LHF2019]

On average, how long until you're ready for your second cutting?

If we can get it every 40 days we’re doing good

 

[EddieWalker]

That's impressive. I know the goal here is to cut at peak protein levels, and that's about 28 days, but it never happens. Three cuttings a year is a good year. I know that sometimes they get 4, but a lot of years they only get two.