Newbie needs advice on when is the optimum time to cut hay.

[tmac196]

This will be my second full season haying. Last year I contracted with a local farmer for cutting and, therefore, learned little about the correct time to cut hay as it was strictly dependent upon the weather and his schedule and availability. I realize that I really don't know the answer to this question so I thought all of your advice would be very informative.

My fields are primarily a mixture of grasses into which are sprinkled, to varying degrees, some legumes (primarily alfalfa and red clover) and some weeds. This hay is strictly raised for horse consumption. The fields are generally well drained sand base, 8-9 acres in size. I plan to do all the baleing this year with equipment which I have purchased since last season.

I have a little influence on the farmer's (who is doing the cutting) schedule, but not as much as I would like. I recognize that weather is a big variable as well as having the available time to do the job. Outside of those considerations, I have some additional questions:

1. When are the individual plants at their optimum time for harvesting assuming, hypothetically, that all of these plants existed in a field by themselves? What characteristics should I be looking for to know when the time is right?

2. Since the plants are all admixed together is there a general rule of thumb as to the optimal cutting time?

tmac

 

[Baby Grand]

My advice is to keep a close eye on a farm near you that's been cutting hay for generations. When they cut is when I would cut.

 

[DaveOmak]

To get the most food value out of the alfalfa, "generally"... 30" or so tall and 30 days growth works for me.... I do irrigate and fertilize regularly..... that come out 4-5 cutting a season.... weather has a lot of influence on cuttings.....

 

[eddie48]

Go visit your local Extension office. They will have someone familiar with your area who can help you.

 

[tcreeley]

Generally you want to cut before they go to seed. As a plant goes to seed- it is finishing up its life cycle and is cutting back on growth and leaves.

Look at this:
Hay is a harvested plant that has been dried and cured after being cut in the field at various times in its growth period, depending on the type of hay. The leaves grow out first, the plant develops a bud, the bud becomes a bloom, and the bloom eventually goes to seed. In most cases, hay is cut during the late bud or early bloom phase. This method maximizes hay’s nutritional value and extends the amount of hay yielded per acre.
All About Hay

 

[Ed of all trades]

It sounds like you have grass hay with some clover ect. mixed in. In that case you are going to plan your hay around the grass, your main crop. You want the grass to be going to seed but not starting to get ripe. You want the grass seeds to be greenish color. I put up a good amount of hay for 20 years and that is how I did it for best Quality.

 

[Fossil Farm]

In perfect conditions, you want to get the optimum protein value out of your hay. In general, that is just as the plants are beginning to flower for alfalfa, clover, trefoil, etc. It is basically the same for grasses such as timothy, orchardgrass, etc. Just depends on what grasses you have growing. As eddie48 said, probably best to talk to the extension agent to get a better idea of common cutting times and length of time between cuttings in your area. If you wait too long, the protein value drops considerably and you are losing out on good nutritional values of your hay. Good luck.

 

[tmac196]

Thanks for the advice. I will try to post some pictures of my grasses today as I suspect they are ready for cutting based on these criteria.

 

[tmac196]

Here are some pictures of the hay today. Does this look ready to cut?

Let's hope not because my farmer with the Haybine will not be here for at least a week, weather permitting.

 

[whistlepig]

It's a balancing act for horse hay here. If the hay is too mature and plants have a hard stem the horses will waste it. If cut too young and tender the yield will be a lot less. Wasted again. Typically around here the first cutting is as tender as can be and the dew down for quick drying. It's a little early here for first cutting although I have seen a few folks mowing hay. Too much dew at night to cure the hay well and some possible mold. Not to mention a barn fire. A good hay guy knows these things. Your pictures appear to me that your hay is more than ready if your weather will let it cure.

 

[DJ54]

You don't say what all tools you have for making hay. If you don't have a tedder, I might suggest getting one. They can be a real life saver, especially for horse hay. You most definitely want it dry.

I cut mine Thursday, and it is very heavy. A mix of Rye Grass, Red Clover, Alfalfa, Blue Grass, and supposed to be some Tuukka Timothy in there. Clover is just starting to bloom, Rye & Bluegrass is headed out, & fine stemmed. Saw some bloom on the Alfalfa too. Got my 4 day window to make it, so cut it down. Ought to make some pretty decent hay

I tedded it yesterday morning when the dew was still on. It dried pretty decent, but will check here in a bit, and see what it looks like. May hit it again, before the dew is completely off, if it needs turned over. Then again tomorrow before raking. Humidity has dropped to 45% here the last two afternoons, with 10+ mph winds. Great hay drying weather for around here.

A fellow I worked with custom baled hay. He told me his secret to tedding hay, is to do it when the dew is still on. Hay is still pretty tough, and it will not knock the leaves off. You will get some loss the day of baling, but not like waiting until later in the day.

I'll be spending the day hitching tools up & gone over. Lots handier having a tractor & tool for each job..!!

 

[RHiebert]

From my experience, which is rather limited, I like Babygrand's posted answer, however that's not easy because when the neighbor is cutting, he doesn't have time. That goes especially with baling your hay unless you have a baler. As far as when the plant' s optimum time for cutting has arrived, my opinion is that the head or seeds just appearing is when I would do it. If I would have had synthetics 40 years ago I sure would have had more fun making hay.

 

[rajela]

If he can come cut it next week you should be fine...

 

[Ed of all trades]

If he can come cut it next week you should be fine...

Yep it will be.

 

[rajela]

Looks like some Hemp Dogbane in there but if you can get it cut before it seeds then you can get rid of it and a lot of the other weeds.

 

[tcreeley]

I have always found that the real difference between horse hay and hay for dairy cattle, is the difference in quality. The best hay goes to the cow producing milk. The worst hay goes to the horse. That said, hay for horses has to be absolutely dry before it is bailed. If the bale is "heavy", it is not dry enough and will mold in the barn - even if it is dry enough to stack. The mold is a problem for horses because of the dust problem attached to it and the potential to ruin a horse's lungs- when they inhale the dust as they eat.
Plenty of horses have been on rich heavy alfalfa or clover hay. They eat it fine. Too much and it may lead to blood clotting problems. I saw a three year old stud (new to the barn) gelded and almost bleed to death. The owner after talking with the vet said the horse had been on clover for some time.
We like a timothy mix for our horses and stay away from anything fertilized with septic sludge. In our area, fields are frequently cut in sections, instead of the whole field at once. This allows people to get the hay under cover and stacked when they are working alone, or with one helper.
I don't worry about the nutritional value of hay, I feed grain as well. It is the getting dry hay that concerns me most- that won't mold in the barn. Dry hay never does.

 

[tmac196]

You don't say what all tools you have for making hay. If you don't have a tedder, I might suggest getting one. !

DJ- I indeed do have a tedder. Actually, a New Holland 255 Rake/Tedder which I purchased last year after learning a harsh lesson about needing one. Thanks for the advice about tedding in the AM with a damp crop. I will give this a try this year.

tmac