Hay Making on a Different Scale

[Hay Dude]

Are you able to keep bale moisture under control during 3rd cutting?
I’m thinking about adding some 4x4x5’s to my feed hay supply by doing some 3rd cutting, but can only assume the weather is going to stay nice for another week.
Not sure if it’s worth it.
Equipment is worn & in need of lots of attention from the summer battles.

 

[LHF2019]

 

[LHF2019]

Are you able to keep bale moisture under control during 3rd cutting?
I’m thinking about adding some 4x4x5’s to my feed hay supply by doing some 3rd cutting, but can only assume the weather is going to stay nice for another week.
Not sure if it’s worth it.
Equipment is worn & in need of lots of attention from the summer battles.

Not usually an issue. We run preserve on it as a precaution. This time of year we can make some of the driest hay.

 

[LHF2019]

Fall tedding

 

[LHF2019]

 

[IndyIan]

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Well I'm impressed, can't say I've ever seen anyone doing small squares in October here, maybe not even in September.... Do you get dew/frost so heavy its light freezing rain on your cars windshield? Maybe its just my places microclimate, but parts of it get maybe 1mm of dew, frozen or unfrozen at each morning for a week sometimes. This fall has been dry here though with only a few days a week with heavy dew, so I could see making hay this last week.

 

[lman]

Nobody bales this late around here because the hay here is alfalfa and it's not good for the alfalfa to be cut short through winter.

 

[LHF2019]

Well I'm impressed, can't say I've ever seen anyone doing small squares in October here, maybe not even in September.... Do you get dew/frost so heavy its light freezing rain on your cars windshield? Maybe its just my places microclimate, but parts of it get maybe 1mm of dew, frozen or unfrozen at each morning for a week sometimes. This fall has been dry here though with only a few days a week with heavy dew, so I could see making hay this last week.

Did you start on page 1 of this thread. November hay mowing and tedding in the snow.

 

[Hay Dude]

I have had success making grass hay with frost. It’s all about sun and low humidity, not the temps, although heat helps the drying process.

 

[LHF2019]

Well I'm impressed, can't say I've ever seen anyone doing small squares in October here, maybe not even in September.... Do you get dew/frost so heavy its light freezing rain on your cars windshield? Maybe its just my places microclimate, but parts of it get maybe 1mm of dew, frozen or unfrozen at each morning for a week sometimes. This fall has been dry here though with only a few days a week with heavy dew, so I could see making hay this last week.

There are very few that would attempt dry bales here. Most people are done in September and just like most places it is "you can't make hay in October/November". Well I make it to prove all those people wrong. I think the biggest issue people have is they want to do it in the same window as summer and that just isn't possible. It is a game of patience. I find this time of year making hay more relaxing and enjoyable. No heat, later starts, you don't feel as rushed. Your window of time changes gradually once you get to September through October and in November. Takes 4 -5 days then starts approaching 6 maybe 7 pending yield. Your baling window moves to starting at 1pm and ending at 6 to 2-3pm start ending at 4-5pm down to 1 hour only if you get late enough.

 

[Hay Dude]

The problem I run into on 3rd cutting in Nov is being patient and realizing it’s not a 3-4 day window. It’s a 7+ day window. (in MY area).


I may be making some winter mushroom hay. Rumor has it one of my customers that usually has me mow his field, might let me hay it instead. This oughta be good lol

 

[LHF2019]

Is this the last of the dry hay for 2024?

 

[EddieWalker]

I sure love the look of a freshly cut field!!!!

 

[ArlyA]

I sure love the look of a freshly cut field!!!!

What about that smell??

 

[LHF2019]

What about that smell??

Upstairs of the barn smells really good now.

 

[Hay Dude]

I’m sold out!
Just got a call last night from a local. Wants every last bale I have (except what’s reserved for other customers).
I’m a happy guy.

 

[LHF2019]

I think calling it quits this year. Made some clover baleage for the cattle. Wasn’t much there but wanted the clover.

 

[Hay Dude]

Are you down on tonnage this year?
We had very little rain, so I’m down 20-25% on hay.

 

[LHF2019]

Are you down on tonnage this year?
We had very little rain, so I’m down 20-25% on hay.

Hard to say. I didn't push my fields. Did more maintenance fertilizer than hitting them hard with urea for tonnage. Didn't have enough orders for 1st cutting so I brush hogged 30 acres but still have 8xx small squares and 4x round bales for winter sales. Covered all my 2nd cutting orders and still have 2000 small square bales to sell this winter.

 

[Lineman North Florida]

I checked the only field I have left to cut this morning and sure enough there were moth's everywhere so there will be army worms within a few days, so I hooked to the Krone cutter and flipped the blades to the un-used side and if everything goes right I am going to cut in the morning.