Newbie needs advice on when is the optimum time to cut hay.

tmac196 · May 20, 2014

This will be my second full season haying. Last year I contracted with a local farmer for cutting and, therefore, learned little about the correct time to cut hay as it was strictly dependent upon the weather and his schedule and availability. I realize that I really don't know the answer to this question so I thought all of your advice would be very informative.

My fields are primarily a mixture of grasses into which are sprinkled, to varying degrees, some legumes (primarily alfalfa and red clover) and some weeds. This hay is strictly raised for horse consumption. The fields are generally well drained sand base, 8-9 acres in size. I plan to do all the baleing this year with equipment which I have purchased since last season.

I have a little influence on the farmer's (who is doing the cutting) schedule, but not as much as I would like. I recognize that weather is a big variable as well as having the available time to do the job. Outside of those considerations, I have some additional questions:

1. When are the individual plants at their optimum time for harvesting assuming, hypothetically, that all of these plants existed in a field by themselves? What characteristics should I be looking for to know when the time is right?

2. Since the plants are all admixed together is there a general rule of thumb as to the optimal cutting time?

tmac

Baby Grand · May 20, 2014

My advice is to keep a close eye on a farm near you that's been cutting hay for generations. When they cut is when I would cut.

DaveOmak · May 21, 2014

To get the most food value out of the alfalfa, "generally"... 30" or so tall and 30 days growth works for me.... I do irrigate and fertilize regularly..... that come out 4-5 cutting a season.... weather has a lot of influence on cuttings.....

eddie48 · May 21, 2014

Go visit your local Extension office. They will have someone familiar with your area who can help you.

tcreeley · May 21, 2014

Generally you want to cut before they go to seed. As a plant goes to seed- it is finishing up its life cycle and is cutting back on growth and leaves.

Look at this:
Hay is a harvested plant that has been dried and cured after being cut in the field at various times in its growth period, depending on the type of hay. The leaves grow out first, the plant develops a bud, the bud becomes a bloom, and the bloom eventually goes to seed. In most cases, hay is cut during the late bud or early bloom phase. This method maximizes hay’s nutritional value and extends the amount of hay yielded per acre.
All About Hay

Ed of all trades · May 21, 2014

It sounds like you have grass hay with some clover ect. mixed in. In that case you are going to plan your hay around the grass, your main crop. You want the grass to be going to seed but not starting to get ripe. You want the grass seeds to be greenish color. I put up a good amount of hay for 20 years and that is how I did it for best Quality.

Fossil Farm · May 22, 2014

In perfect conditions, you want to get the optimum protein value out of your hay. In general, that is just as the plants are beginning to flower for alfalfa, clover, trefoil, etc. It is basically the same for grasses such as timothy, orchardgrass, etc. Just depends on what grasses you have growing. As eddie48 said, probably best to talk to the extension agent to get a better idea of common cutting times and length of time between cuttings in your area. If you wait too long, the protein value drops considerably and you are losing out on good nutritional values of your hay. Good luck.

tmac196 · May 23, 2014

Thanks for the advice. I will try to post some pictures of my grasses today as I suspect they are ready for cutting based on these criteria.

tmac196 · May 23, 2014

Here are some pictures of the hay today. Does this look ready to cut?

Let's hope not because my farmer with the Haybine will not be here for at least a week, weather permitting.

whistlepig · May 23, 2014

It's a balancing act for horse hay here. If the hay is too mature and plants have a hard stem the horses will waste it. If cut too young and tender the yield will be a lot less. Wasted again. Typically around here the first cutting is as tender as can be and the dew down for quick drying. It's a little early here for first cutting although I have seen a few folks mowing hay. Too much dew at night to cure the hay well and some possible mold. Not to mention a barn fire. A good hay guy knows these things. Your pictures appear to me that your hay is more than ready if your weather will let it cure.