Haying this spring

[John Fitzgerald]

Haying is already about 4 weeks behind. If you go by the forecast, there has never been a window large enough to cut, dry, and bale before a rain. There was actually one window barely large enough a couple weeks ago, but rain that did not happen was forecasted. It looks like no hay this year, if trends continue. It may have to be bush hogged, and hope for a late summer/fall cut. Usually we get 3 or 4 cuts.

 

[thekkfan]

Cut it, if it rains on it, tedd the h3ll out of it til dry and bale. At the very least you'll get it cut and off the ground so it can regrow for a later cut.

 

[Molalla1]

Cut it, if it rains on it, tedd the h3ll out of it til dry and bale. At the very least you'll get it cut and off the ground so it can regrow for a later cut.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ don't let it go to waste. More cuts more hay.

 

[s219]

It's been a challenge here too. And last week we had two nights with unforecasted rain (brief shower but fairly heavy). I saw a neighbor cut his, probably expecting three days of dry weather, and then it got rained on overnight two nights in a row. Saw him hit it with the tedder at least 2-3 times then he baled it. I would have liked it drier myself but I don't think he had a choice.

All last week and this week I have been trying to get some painting done which is why I was so tuned into the weather. Painting and haying can be about the same level of frustration it seems.

 

[Molalla1]

It's been a challenge here too. And last week we had two nights with unforecasted rain (brief shower but fairly heavy). I saw a neighbor cut his, probably expecting three days of dry weather, and then it got rained on overnight two nights in a row. Saw him hit it with the tedder at least 2-3 times then he baled it. I would have liked it drier myself but I don't think he had a choice.

All last week and this week I have been trying to get some painting done which is why I was so tuned into the weather. Painting and haying can be about the same level of frustration it seems.

I feel your pain . . . wife has ME doing a painting project.

 

[Ortimber]

We've had another dry spring, so we put up 200 round bales this week. I believe this is the earliest we've ever gotten hay into the barn. Forecast calls for a little rain tonight and tomorrow, but after that we will be hitting almost 90 degree days. Probably start cutting on Sunday, and hopefully get about 1200 small squares done by the end of the week. Seems weird to be done with hay in early June. I like it!

 

[aczlan]

It's been too wet to get any hay cut yet. Things are looking like we might be able to do something towards the end of next week, but time will tell.

Aaron Z

 

[John Fitzgerald]

I've seen other people put rock salt between their square bales when putting them up when baled damp. They say it's to prevent mold and fires starting in them. I have no personal experience with this, don't know if it actually works.

 

[aczlan]

I've seen other people put rock salt between their square bales when putting them up when baled damp. They say it's to prevent mold and fires starting in them. I have no personal experience with this, don't know if it actually works.

It helps, we had to do that one year, still had dusty hay, but it didn't light the barn on fire.

Aaron Z

 

[Thomas]

It been soggy here also enough so red wing black birds walking thru grass hay catching insects.

 

[QRTRHRS]

I've seen other people put rock salt between their square bales when putting them up when baled damp. They say it's to prevent mold and fires starting in them. I have no personal experience with this, don't know if it actually works.

I have used regular loose salt that I get at Southern States in 50lb bags. Dipping it out of the bag with a plastic tub, I sprinkle it on kind of like someone wanting to raise their blood pressure. Usually, I just put it on the floorboards and then on top of each bale but if the hay is really moist then I will lay a bale on it's side, salt it then quick flip it against the previous bales before I salt the top. I strongly feel that it does indeed work. I have heard that you can overdo it by using too much salt?

Prior to this week, my area in KY has been dry but we had one of the best windows for putting up hay that one could pray for.

 

[John Fitzgerald]

We had a decent window, with only some very light showers, and haying for this cut was finished on the 16th with decent, but not ideal, results. Had plenty of rain since and great regrowth so far.

 

[kcflhrc]

My neighbor Hays my 10 acres around the house. He is the eternal procrastinator. He does something I don't understand. Every year he will cut, rake and bail about the outer 30 feet of the field. He did this again this year and leaves the rest standing to do later. Later this year means he hasn't got it done because of all the rain. What if any is the reason for this? Does he do it so there is more air getting into the rest of the field? Seems odd and I don't see anyone else doing it besides him. He tried to cut again yesterday and said the tires were wet so it was still too wet to cut. But like I said, he works on his crappy equipment and procrastinates more than he gets work done.

 

[aczlan]

My neighbor Hays my 10 acres around the house. He is the eternal procrastinator. He does something I don't understand. Every year he will cut, rake and bail about the outer 30 feet of the field. He did this again this year and leaves the rest standing to do later. Later this year means he hasn't got it done because of all the rain. What if any is the reason for this? Does he do it so there is more air getting into the rest of the field? Seems odd and I don't see anyone else doing it besides him. He tried to cut again yesterday and said the tires were wet so it was still too wet to cut. But like I said, he works on his crappy equipment and procrastinates more than he gets work done.

Some people do that to make it easier to get in out and around the field, that way they don't have to cut up to the edge the next time. In his case, perhaps he wants to make sure his equipment will function before he drops the whole field?

Aaron Z

 

[LouNY]

Many times we will cut of the headlands first (we do 6 rounds) and pick those up first either by baling or chopping.
That way the windrows are not being run over and packed down as the rest of the field gets worked.
Especially with good forage on damp fields where it can be packed down into the dirt.
Also when doubling up windrows it helps to do a better job with less bunching and wads when you aren't turning and raking through the headlands.

 

[Jstpssng]

On the buying end... I tried to get some mulch hay yesterday from a place I've been getting it for 25 years. They've been out for two months as last year was dry and the crop was low, this year it's been raining so much that they haven't been able to get onto the fields.

 

[LouNY]

Well the weather here has cooperated a bit, many of the fields are still soft from all the rain.
But we got another 200 tons of haylage chopped and bagged yesterday and today.
Heck of a note just getting first cutting in July, hay is quite mature and cows wouldn't care for it or get much nutrition out of it if dry baled.
Had to chop right behind the mower or it would be to dry for good haylage, once it ensilages the cows will eat it better and get some good out of it.
This has been my view almost 20 hours the last two days.

Looking out the rear window;


thru the windshield CIH 7230;


doubling the windrow with Deere 4020, clay ground had a lot of winter kill and drowning this spring the yield is poor, hope second and third do good.


Winrowing with CIH 7110;


no pics of them but another Magnum CIH 7120 and the CIH Puma 125 hauling wagons today,
and the 1086 was on the bagger.