So dry ... Cut, rake & bale

[blueriver]

I saw a field today just North of Durant with 4 tractors ... 2 with cutters,
1 v-rake right behind the cutters and the baler right behind the rake ... that hay so dry it needed no drying time.

Can't help but wonder the quality ...

 

[greasemonkeyok]

Seems like most folks cut their hay early, and too short from what I see.

 

[bp fick]

Some guys took a nice first cutting in early June here. A month later and there's nothing but brown and dust now, for it hasn't rained since. Second? Third cuttings? Seems doubtful. Something will have to change in the basic weather pattern. Seems only autumn will cause that.

 

[Chilly807]

One of my co-workers told me their hay was ready to be cut in early June, late May even, but the weather just wasn't conducive to drying hay.

He likes to cut his hay late in the day, then bale the next day. Apparently more nutrients are trapped in the stems that way.

Sean

 

[bigbull338]

when it gets this hot an dry with no rain sight,you can cut an bale hay the same day.because the grass has no moisture in it what so ever.

 

[Duffster]

Can't help but wonder the quality ...

Me too. Is it dead standing? Seems it wouldn't be much better then straw or corn fodder.

Seems like most folks cut their hay early, and too short from what I see.

That would be highly debatable. We cut 1st the last week of May and then every 30-35 days after that. Finished 2nd before Independence Day. An argument could be made that we cut to late.

 

[rmk700]

They also will bale the hay right after cutting to make haylage which requires about 30 to 50 percent moisture.

 

[MMagis]

They also will bale the hay right after cutting to make haylage which requires about 30 to 50 percent moisture.

I suspect you're right. Highly unlikely that it's dry enough for hay.

 

[hizoot]

I suspect you're right. Highly unlikely that it's dry enough for hay.

Its drier than a popcorn fart here....grass is brown and crunchy dead.

 

[blueriver]

I suspect you're right. Highly unlikely that it's dry enough for hay.

The baler was right behind the rake that was behind the cutters ... it was being cut, raked and baled as it hit the ground.

I don't know of anyone that makes haylage around here.

 

[cowpatty]

Ours was cut one afternoon and baled the next morning. Very dry and thin. Our field usually 650 or so bales and made 310 this year

 

[AKfish]

The baler was right behind the rake that was behind the cutters ... it was being cut, raked and baled as it hit the ground.

I don't know of anyone that makes haylage around here.

Whoa.... now, that's "scary" dry! Never seen it that dry!

Folk's at home in SD are feelin' the burn right now! But, they've had so much rain and flooding - they'd like it to dry out just enough to take the sand bags down.

AKfish

 

[MMagis]

The baler was right behind the rake that was behind the cutters ... it was being cut, raked and baled as it hit the ground.

Yes, that would likely be haylage. Grass dry enough to cut and bale that fast would have zero nutritional value. It could be used only as roughage, which is possibility. As is the chance that they plan to sell it to desperate folks for an inflated price in their time of need. Seems to be a lot of that going on.

 

[5030]

Interesting ovservations. I cut no hay before it's time and I certainly prepare it for bailing for my customers.

I suspect that alfalfa hay will do a serious climb in per bale price this year, along with wheat straw. Corn as a feed, has gotten too expensive for producers and while DDG is an alternative, it's not working as a main ration.

There will be a ton of crop insurance claims this year.

The corn here is in the critical stage where it needs moisture to fill out and it's not happening. Consequently, it's 'firing up'.

It's not going to matter much, no matter how it plays. Your officials on the Beltway are dilligently focking up the economy to the point where prime importance will be day-to day survival.

 

[blueriver]

Yes, that would likely be haylage. Grass dry enough to cut and bale that fast would have zero nutritional value. It could be used only as roughage, which is possibility. As is the chance that they plan to sell it to desperate folks for an inflated price in their time of need. Seems to be a lot of that going on.

I thought haylge was high moisture ... baled green with a silage baler and put in those bags.

I agree This dryed out stuff would have no nutritional value ... and I'll bet they sure enough will inflate the price and sell.

 

[Duffster]

I agree This dryed out stuff would have no nutritional value ...

It'll beat the heck out of snowballs.

 

[blueriver]

It'll beat the heck out of snowballs.

Might be about the same ... I'd bet snowballs would at least have some moisture!!!!

 

[Duffster]

Might be about the same ... I'd bet snowballs would at least have some moisture!!!!

Ya but they are just not that satifying....not filling enough.

Seriously though I doubt that kind of hay is worth a crap but it will truly be better then nothing. At least you can top dress it with some grain.

 

[MMagis]

I thought haylge was high moisture ... baled green with a silage baler and put in those bags.

I agree This dryed out stuff would have no nutritional value ... and I'll bet they sure enough will inflate the price and sell.

I sort of switched gears and made that confusing. If it had moisture, it would likely be haylage. If it was indeed dry enough to rake and bale right behind the cutter, it would just be roughage, probably just a bit better than straw.

 

[blueriver]

I sort of switched gears and made that confusing. If it had moisture, it would likely be haylage. If it was indeed dry enough to rake and bale right behind the cutter, it would just be roughage, probably just a bit better than straw.

Okay ... now I'm with you ... slow down turbo, sometimes I need to digest things.