Is this going to change the way we make hay?

[SteveBenson]

I sure hope so.

I 've been reading about these "macerators" they use over in EULand and they are starting to introduce them over here. Does anyone know someone who has used one yet?

This would make haying much more pleasant in New England where you cannot plan 3-4 days out on the weather.

They are $15k now in limited production. I would guess the price has got to come down a little with more production and competition. We can only hope anyways.

>"It lets you get your hay crop off the field faster while maintaining better quality,"

>"It reduces normal drydown of a hay crop from five days to just one day. In good drying conditions, it can reduce hay moisture content to just 18 percent within 24 to 36 hours. The faster drydown helps preserve both nutrients and color. It makes the hay more palatable and increases digestibility which translates into increased energy, significant weight gains, and increased milk production."


Macerator article

 

[slowzuki]

It is interesting, a twist on the traditional conditioner. I wonder if you are not supposed to use a mower conditioner?

 

[Robert_in_NY]

They had one at the Syracuse Farm show this year. I talked to the guy who was repping it but don't remember much right now. I have some literature on it but it was priced too high for consideration.

 

[SteveBenson]

I don't think you condition otherwise. The macerator slits the stalk legthwise. They say 4-6 faster drying time than conventional conditioning with crimper rollers.

There was another article in Hay&Forage where a guy was testing one in the real world. He did say drying time was incredibly reduced and quality was better. But he said you should macerate 6-12 hours after cutting to allow the grass to wilt and firm up a little, otherwise its way too soft coming out of the macerator and tends to paste itself to the ground instead of sitting up on the grass to dry.