Haying this spring

[John Fitzgerald]

Haying is already about 4 weeks behind. If you go by the forecast, there has never been a window large enough to cut, dry, and bale before a rain. There was actually one window barely large enough a couple weeks ago, but rain that did not happen was forecasted. It looks like no hay this year, if trends continue. It may have to be bush hogged, and hope for a late summer/fall cut. Usually we get 3 or 4 cuts.

 

[thekkfan]

Cut it, if it rains on it, tedd the h3ll out of it til dry and bale. At the very least you'll get it cut and off the ground so it can regrow for a later cut.

 

[Molalla1]

Cut it, if it rains on it, tedd the h3ll out of it til dry and bale. At the very least you'll get it cut and off the ground so it can regrow for a later cut.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ don't let it go to waste. More cuts more hay.

 

[s219]

It's been a challenge here too. And last week we had two nights with unforecasted rain (brief shower but fairly heavy). I saw a neighbor cut his, probably expecting three days of dry weather, and then it got rained on overnight two nights in a row. Saw him hit it with the tedder at least 2-3 times then he baled it. I would have liked it drier myself but I don't think he had a choice.

All last week and this week I have been trying to get some painting done which is why I was so tuned into the weather. Painting and haying can be about the same level of frustration it seems.

 

[Molalla1]

It's been a challenge here too. And last week we had two nights with unforecasted rain (brief shower but fairly heavy). I saw a neighbor cut his, probably expecting three days of dry weather, and then it got rained on overnight two nights in a row. Saw him hit it with the tedder at least 2-3 times then he baled it. I would have liked it drier myself but I don't think he had a choice.

All last week and this week I have been trying to get some painting done which is why I was so tuned into the weather. Painting and haying can be about the same level of frustration it seems.

I feel your pain . . . wife has ME doing a painting project.

 

[Ortimber]

We've had another dry spring, so we put up 200 round bales this week. I believe this is the earliest we've ever gotten hay into the barn. Forecast calls for a little rain tonight and tomorrow, but after that we will be hitting almost 90 degree days. Probably start cutting on Sunday, and hopefully get about 1200 small squares done by the end of the week. Seems weird to be done with hay in early June. I like it!

 

[aczlan]

It's been too wet to get any hay cut yet. Things are looking like we might be able to do something towards the end of next week, but time will tell.

Aaron Z

 

[John Fitzgerald]

I've seen other people put rock salt between their square bales when putting them up when baled damp. They say it's to prevent mold and fires starting in them. I have no personal experience with this, don't know if it actually works.

 

[aczlan]

I've seen other people put rock salt between their square bales when putting them up when baled damp. They say it's to prevent mold and fires starting in them. I have no personal experience with this, don't know if it actually works.

It helps, we had to do that one year, still had dusty hay, but it didn't light the barn on fire.

Aaron Z

 

[Thomas]

It been soggy here also enough so red wing black birds walking thru grass hay catching insects.