Anyone Started Hay/Grass Silage 2019 Yet?

PROFarms · Apr 8, 2019

Hi all. Just wondering if there’s anyone done their first cutting of hay or silage yet? We wouldn’t normally think about cutting silage until mid may but this year the grass was right and we cut end of may!
How close is everyone else before cutting?
Take a look at the video I put on YouTube! First Cut Silage Clips 219 - YouTube

Kioti Paul · Apr 10, 2019

Wow! 1st class operation you got going Profarms! Can I assume it was a misprint, and you meant to say 'end of March'??

I know nothing about Silage, I do square bales (for horses). Here in North Texas, my grass in early to mid April really looks good, however I have found it takes FOREVER for it to dry out, and if I bale with more than 20% moisture, it WILL mold.

Only thing worse than losing a whole cutting of hay is trying to get rid of 300+ bales of moldy hay (a real disaster)!

I have learned (the hard way) just to mow until early May, then start growing for hay, usually getting my first cutting near the end of May.

nybirdman · Apr 10, 2019

Snowed here today!Ground is like a sponge.

kthompson · Apr 11, 2019

Not much cut in my area, near coast of Atlantic ocean near the South Carolina/North Carolina border for silage. Winter grain such as rye, wheat or oats would be near time for that IF cutting for silage but still more towards end of April. We have had wetter and colder winter than normal here.

RPW · Apr 18, 2019

I need to cut and bale my winter rye. All ready about 3 feet tall but the wind and rain is fighting me. Still hoping to get it done before the grass seeds out.

cat fever · Apr 18, 2019

No cutting yet, we still have spots of snow on the ground.:tractor:

nybirdman · Apr 19, 2019

A neighbor buried a 150 HP 4WD JD this week trying to spread manure on a field near me;way too soft.Not real smart ,sunk one last fall in the same spot.

PROFarms · Apr 28, 2019

All being well second cut will be getting mowed with us on Friday of this coming week. The grass is looking nearly ready!

kthompson · Apr 29, 2019

Nephew cut oats last Monday (a week ago) no rain, for us good breeze and good sun. As of Saturday still too wet to bale. We are not under burn ban due to how dry we are and expected winds. They sure should be dry enough today. We came into this spring with very very wet soil due to Hurricane rains and floods last fall and a wet winter also. Moisture in soil is still high but getting to normal.