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HAYING TIPS
There is one certainty when making hay - a quick cure will maintain top quality. It is critical to have the cured
hay baled as quickly as possible, for two reasons:
1. Every day hay lies on the ground, 5% of the protein is lost.
2. The sooner the cut hay is off, the earlier the start for next growth.
Generally, leaving the windrow as wide and thin as possible makes for the quickest curing, however there are
other factors which affect curing time:
1. TOPSOIL MOISTURE
When the ground is wetter than the hay, moisture from the soil is absorbed by the hay above it. Determine
topsoil moisture level before cutting. Use a moisture tester or estimate level:
Over 45% - WET - Soil will be muddy
25 - 45% - DAMP - Walking on soil leaves tracks
Under 25% - DRY - Soil will be dusty on top
When ground is wet due to irrigation, wait until soil moisture drops below 45%. When ground is wet due to
frequent rains, cut when weather allows and let the forage lie on wet ground until it dries to the moisture level
of the ground. At this point, the cut hay will dry no more until the ground under it dries, so consider moving the
windrow to drier ground.
On wet soil, the general rule of "wide and thin" does not apply. A narrower windrow will dry faster than hay left
flat on wet ground.
2. CLIMATE AND TOPOGRAPHY
a. Try to have as much hay cut as possible by midday, when drying conditions are best.
b. Fields sloping south get up to 100% more exposure to the sun's heat than do north sloping fields. If you
bale and chop, consider baling the south facing fields and chopping those facing north.
c. When relative humidity is high, the evaporation rate is low and hay dries slower. If there is no wind,
saturated air becomes trapped around the windrow, further hindering the drying process. Raking or tedding
will expose the hay to fresher, less saturated air. Cutting hay perpendicular to the direction of the prevailing
winds may also help.
Form # 147008
OPERATION
34
Issue 12/05
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