Make hay while the sun shines

Bruce from Can. · Aug 8, 2021

That was the age old rule. This year the sky looks
like this most days, and making hay in the sunshine
hasnt happen much. Baling wilted near dry hay is
about the best I can do, then wrap it. One of these
wrapping machines has become standard
equipment for people making hay in bales this year.

Northvale PA · Aug 8, 2021

I dont envy your weather but putting up damp hay is a major advantage to baling only dry hay. Then again, there are the irrigated fields out west where the producer can turn the rain on and off to suit the crop.

Bill VA · Aug 8, 2021

Looks good!

Lot of wrapping going on here too.

495man · Aug 8, 2021

I would still be trying to hay if I didn't have a wrapper.

Had a total of 3 days of sun in a row since July 1st. It's been rain sun run sun sun rain rain rain sun rain sun sun rain rain rain rain rain type pattern.

37 chief · Aug 8, 2021

I have a question. Why are the bales wrapped? Stan

Bruce from Can. · Aug 8, 2021

The whole idea of wrapping the hay in stretch plastic, is to create an oxygen limited environment. So if there is no oxygen , there can be no decomposition, no growth of mould. The hay has to ferment instead of spoil. So this hay becomes hay silage

sourgum · Aug 8, 2021

Did you notice the cows showing any preference to wrapped or unwrapped bales when you started using the bale wrapper. Did their hay consumption change any from one compared to the other.

Bruce from Can. · Aug 8, 2021

Hows do seem to find the fermented feed very tasty. I think that they sometimes clean the hay up better because it is softer. Dry hay can get hard and have sharp bits.

300jk · Aug 8, 2021

In the same situation as you on the other side of the lake. We arent a big enough operation to wrap bales ect. Everything we make is dry. Been real tough this year. We have about 15 acres left of first cutting. All rounds. Moved all the equipment to my brothers yesterday where the hay ground is. No forecasted rain so dropped about 8 acres. Then came home. At 4:30 it got dark and rained. Only cloudy in the sky. Thats been our luck this year.

craigco · Aug 8, 2021

Dry where I'm at. Cut grass hay yesterday at 9am. Baled today at 230pm. Had wind and 90 weather low humidity. Granted it is very light hay season this year.

Texasmark · Aug 9, 2021

I'm betting they preferred it as they got drunk off the sugar just like they do when they go after that old bale you tossed in a revine for erosion control rather than eat your high dollar new hay.......LAMO

M w J · Aug 9, 2021

Hay can be baled a little wetter and not mold or you can bale real wet hay and make bale silage. We bale dry hay and straw dry and wrap it there is no spoilage even on the ground in a wet year . Also straw and hay can keep over for years if not used.

Make hay while the sun shines

Bruce from Can.

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Northvale PA

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Bill VA

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495man

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37 chief

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Bruce from Can.

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sourgum

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Bruce from Can.

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300jk

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craigco

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Texasmark

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M w J

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