I don't post much anymore, just lurk, but, we are commercial forage growers as well as feed our horses and maintain our feed lot operation which averages around 500 head in containment at any particular time.
Like CowBoyDoc, I have my preferences and experiences. I've used many brands of hay tools but I prefer New Holland. for everything but rakes. I have a NH side delivery rake but it's just a yard ornament. I use a Kuhn Gyrorake. Actually we also have a Giehl rotary also.
Problem with a side delivery rake is that it tends to "rope" the windrow while a rotary fluffs the windrow and speeds drydown. Besides, a rotary has way fewer moving parts to wear or break and most rotaries can be used to ted with the guard in the up position.
We have 2 round bailers, both NH. We have a 638 with an acid applicator and a 786 computerized unit with net wrap. Both units have their uses and the 4 square bailer, the 638, runs bails that are easier to handle than it's big brother. The big bailer also bails constalks and wheat straw. The proprionic acid setup is nice for first cut or when the weather threatens as you can bail at 20% actual moisture without spoilage. We use NH buffered proprionic acid that is non corrosive and machine freindly.
We have 2 square bailers, both NH both are offset. The most important thing an ANY square bailer is the knotters. They have to be tight without any sideplay and the followers must be in good shape or they will mistie. Always, when purchasing a used square bailer, have a bailer mechanic who is familiar with the particular brand, look over the knotters before you buy. NEVER try to adjust the knotters yourself other than changing the twine cutters. Keep them well greased and free of chaff. There are add on knotter blowers available that keep the knotters free of chaff. I just use a big brush about every 100 bales or so and the machines (all of them) get greased every evening.
Our rotary rakes are all hydraulically lifted which makes turning a breeze. On first cut, my partner will follow behind me (by a couple of hours) with our model 35 IH steel wheeled crimper. The second crimp gives a faster drydown which is crucial in the moderate temps of early summer.
We also have a NH inverter, but you don't need that for small acerage.
We run to mowing machines, a JD MoCo with an SCH cutter bar. I recommend SCH bars. They are really trouble free and the sections (knives) can be changed individually. SCH is a premium cutterbar and the initial cost is more. SCH can be retrofitted or specified on any make of mower. I use the MoCo for 3rd and 4th cut as in my experience, it seems to do a better job with the "finer" preceeding cuts. It has chevron crimper rolls. We also have a NH center pivot rotary haybine for 1st and 2nd cuts. The rotary does a better job in the heavier cuts and won't clog like the sickle unit. It does take a pretty heavy PTO horsepower to drive though.
I have my hay certified by Litchfield Analytical Labs in Litchfield, Michigan. Litchfield provides mailers anywhere in the USA for return of samples to the lab. I use a cylindrical hay probe made from an old golf club for pulling samlpes. You can buy commercial probes, but the golf club is as good as any. We specify wet chemistry over dry UV because of the more accurate reports.
We also use a Delmhorst certified moisture tester with RB probes, SB probes and field sampling probes. Delmhorst is available from Seedboro Inc. Delmhorst is the recognized leader in sampling equipment.
Our rolling stock consists of about 12 Giehl tandem axle haywagons and a couple of goosneck trailers as well as all the help we can get for square bales. I pay $20.00 per hour for field help. Nobody works cheap anymore.
Our motive power consists of a Kubota 105SA, my 5030 HSTC an Kubota M9000HDcc3, a Massey 1085 and a few smaller units. All the field tractors have cabs and AC.
We run around 2000 rounds on first. Second and third and maybe forth are all squared. Last year we made in the excess of 7500 squares on 3 cuts. In addition, we run around 1000 rounds of wheat straw and around 500 rounds of cornstalks. The wheat and corn is used for feedlot bedding.
I like turnkey machinery and implements. The absolute worst case scenario is getting it cut, raked and windrowed and your bargain bailer won't bail. We have done custom bailing in those cases and I charge plenty for it.
As far as when to cut, well, every hay farmer I know of has a different opinion. We tend, weather permitting, to cut when we see about 10-15% blossom and we cut no lower than one inch above grade on 2nd, 3rd and especially 4th cut. If you cut too low and too late here in Michigan, your fields will suffer winter kill. First is taken low as possible to grade without damaging the cutters.
We fertilize after 1st., cut and after our last cut and spot spray the fields for weeds. We contract with a certified argonomist and he checks the soil and adjusts the mixture for optimum growth. Beware, fertilizer has tripled in the past year. We are averaging around $60.00 per acre per application as of present. We always scout our fields for pests such as potato leaf hoppers and aphids. If found, we have our problem field sprayed with the appropriate chemicals. Currently, we have upsized our operation to around 350 acres of black, fertile loam. I couldn't begin to set a figure on equipment, but suffice to say, Farm Credit loves us.
In closing, I have to say that my views and opinions are mine and reflect on no others. Haying is about 1/2 luck and 1/2 hard work and remember, you can't fool mother nature....she will always win and the rain will come when you don't want it.
There is nothing worse than watching your hard work turn to mulch in that nice summer downpour....knowing that you just have to bail it up to get it off the field.
As my signature says: "If haying was easy, everyone would do it" It isn't.
By the way, we were COMPLETELY sold out by February last year, excepting the hay for our own needs and no hay was sold until after December 31st.
I might add that we were the first to use a rotary rake around here and we, ourselves were skeptical, that is, until we used one. As far as I am concerned, a side delivery rake is a good yard ornamnet now.
