Starting hay season 2017

RPW · Jun 8, 2017

Looks good. I fertilized a couple of days ago. Not sure if I messed up as it started raining shortly after application. Will probably top dress in a couple of weeks to add some additional nitrogen then I hope to be baling again at the end of the month.

cat fever · Jun 8, 2017

Nice, be sure to post some pictures of the hay process. Even though we have all seen it before.:laughing:

I bought this bale sweep so I wouldn't have to lift the hay in the trailer any more. It was sure nice. I could load the trailer in 10-15 minutes and not break a sweat.

cat fever · Jun 11, 2017

So all said and done I ended up with 400ish bales.

powerscol · Jun 15, 2017

Do you unload the trailer by hand? I have not seen a bale sweep unload before, Got 51 bales first cutting off of my 2 acres and have 12 acres cut and wind rowed ready for second turning then baling tomorrow. I cut a bit early to not have such thick stems. Blew a hose on my grapple (replaced locally within a hour or so), but otherwise even the sickle mower worked until I jammed the tip into a hole and sheared two knives off. Put on the replacement knife bar section and back at it. New rake is absolutely fabulous.

On edit. I noticed you have your hay on the concrete - ever any mold issue on the bottom? I have mine on pallets. I found the baler twine ones a perfect fit and tougher than most other full size ones.

M5farms · Jun 15, 2017

Different part of the world and different hay but I got 28 acres cut and bailed last week. only had a 4 day window but got it done.

cat fever · Jun 15, 2017

M5farms,
Hay and fields look great.

powerscol,
Yes I unload by hand. No choice the barn is to low for the tractor to fit. Otherwise I might have gone the grapple route. I don't mind to much, I can back in and unload right on spot. Plus it's a little exercise.
It sucks when you break equipment, glad you were able to get it fixed quickly. Just lucky this year but I didn't break anything. I did have a close call with a baseball sized rock in my neighbors field. It hit the post between my corner window and the back window. Couple inches either way and I'd be buying a new window.

As far as mold the answer is no. The only time I have dealt with mold is when I bale to wet. That only happened one time. (knocking on wood)

RPW · Jun 17, 2017

Well I hope to start second cutting in a week or so but may have to wait. Mother nature isn't cooperating to well as we're only got minimal rain and the fields are still short. Oh well gives me more time to move into the new house.

Creamer · Jun 17, 2017

I got really lucky this year. Hit a dry hot spell and finished cutting it about noon last Sunday and we baled it Monday afternoon. I have never had hay dry that quickly in this area. It is all grass though - tall fescue, brome and timothy. It was plenty mature but it has been too wet to cut it. Got an opening and took it.

cat fever · Jun 17, 2017

Creamer said:
I got really lucky this year. Hit a dry hot spell and finished cutting it about noon last Sunday and we baled it Monday afternoon. I have never had hay dry that quickly in this area. It is all grass though - tall fescue, brome and timothy. It was plenty mature but it has been too wet to cut it. Got an opening and took it.

Like the saying goes; "make hay while the sun is shining". Glad it worked out for you.