Haying Tips; Curing; Topsoil Moisture; Weather And Topography - MacDon D65 Operator's Manual

OPERATION

3.11 Haying Tips

These tips may be useful when using the header in hay crops

3.11.1 Curing

Curing crops quickly helps maintain the highest quality because for each day that hay lies on the ground, 5% of the protein
is lost.
A quick cure will maintain top quality because:
• 5% of the protein is lost for each day hay lies on the ground.
• The sooner the cut hay is off the ground, the earlier the start for new growth.
Leaving the windrow as wide and thin as possible makes for the quickest curing. The cured hay should be baled as soon as
possible.

3.11.2 Topsoil Moisture

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.
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 using the table below.
Level % Moisture Condition
Soil is muddy
Wet Over 45%
Damp
Shows footprints
25–45%
Dry
Surface is dusty
Under 25%
If the ground is wet due to irrigation, wait until soil moisture drops below 45%.
If the ground is wet due to frequent rains, cut when the weather allows and let the forage lie on the wet ground until it
dries to the moisture level of the ground. The cut hay will dry no more until the ground under it dries, so consider moving
the windrow to drier ground.

3.11.3 Weather and Topography

Cut as much hay as possible by midday, when drying conditions are best.
Fields sloping south get up to 100% more exposure to the sun's heat than the north sloping fields. If hay is baled and
chopped, consider baling the south-facing fields and chopping fields facing north.
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. Raking or tedding will expose the hay to fresher,
less saturated air.
Cutting hay perpendicular to the direction of the prevailing wind is also recommended.
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