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Ed S. (IL) 09-15-2009 17:51:49 173.15.98.99 19203 Report to Moderator	We've had a beautiful run of dry, sunny, coolish weather the past couple weeks after a sopping wet spring and summer. Have taken two cuts off my mixed alfalfa/foxtail/grass field (gotta get rid of the foxtail somehow for next year), and it's getting close to tall enough to cut again. Question is, days are getting shorter and cooler - moreso this year than last due to it being generally cooler. We usually don't see snow/hard frozen ground until Thanksgiving, but as whacky as this year has been, I wouldn't be surprised at late October/early November. If I cut within the next week or so, will the alfalfa have enough time to recover before really cold weather? I've cut in late September before, but just don't have enough experience to know how far I can push it. Thanks, es [Reply]   [No Email]
Ed S. (IL) 10-08-2009 04:01:32 173.15.98.99 19352 Report to Moderator	Re: Too late to cut hay in Central Illinois? in reply to Ed S. (IL), 09-15-2009 17:51:49   We finally got it baled Monday after getting rain 7 out of 11 days. No salt needed this time. es   [Reply]   [No Email]
Leland2 10-08-2009 00:35:03 173.29.62.160 19351 Report to Moderator	Re: Too late to cut hay in Central Illinois? in reply to Ed S. (IL), 09-15-2009 17:51:49   Salt the crap out of it and it may cure   [Reply]   [Send Email]
JOE FARMER 09-18-2009 23:42:23 72.35.56.116 19236 Report to Moderator	Re: Too late to cut hay in Central Illinois? in reply to Ed S. (IL), 09-15-2009 17:51:49   HEY '''OLD SOUNDS LIKE A INJECTOR PUMP PROBLEM HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN 2 OUR OLIVER 1855   [Reply]   [Send Email]
old 09-19-2009 17:52:18 4.245.0.107 19240 Report to Moderator	Re: Too late to cut hay in Central Illinois? in reply to JOE FARMER, 09-18-2009 23:42:23   It is an Oliver 77 gas so nope that can not be the problem. I figure it was the fact that I only had about a gallon of gas in it and it was clogging up some place   [Reply]   [Send Email]
Areo 09-18-2009 18:23:44 65.31.190.89 19230 Report to Moderator	Re: Too late to cut hay in Central Illinois? in reply to Ed S. (IL), 09-15-2009 17:51:49   I saw a lot of hay cut today here between Milwaukee and Green Bay Wis. Don't see a problem other than the heavy dew makes it difficult to get dry. Areo   [Reply]   [No Email]
Ed S. (IL) 09-17-2009 16:00:01 173.15.98.99 19226 Report to Moderator	Re: Too late to cut hay in Central Illinois? in reply to Ed S. (IL), 09-15-2009 17:51:49   Hay is down, for better or for worse... Now all of a sudden, they're calling for 40% chance of rain Sunday! :roll: es   [Reply]   [No Email]
old 09-18-2009 20:09:47 4.244.186.189 19232 Report to Moderator	Re: Too late to cut hay in Central Illinois? in reply to Ed S. (IL), 09-17-2009 16:00:01   Well I got my hay baled today. Made all of 2.5 bales but then my bales around around 2000lbs so I guess I did a lot of hay sort of   [Reply]   [Send Email]
hayray 09-17-2009 05:29:11 70.9.10.201 19223 Report to Moderator	Re: Too late to cut hay in Central Illinois? in reply to Ed S. (IL), 09-15-2009 17:51:49   In Southern Michigan we are advised not to cut alfalfa between Septmeber 1 to October 15th otherwise significant stand thinning may be the result.   [Reply]   [Send Email]
Ed S. (IL) 09-16-2009 18:29:30 173.15.98.99 19220 Report to Moderator	Re: Too late to cut hay in Central Illinois? in reply to Ed S. (IL), 09-15-2009 17:51:49   Thanks for the input, started cutting this afternoon and will finish tomorrow. es   [Reply]   [No Email]
old 09-16-2009 19:05:34 4.245.1.11 19221 Report to Moderator	Re: Too late to cut hay in Central Illinois? in reply to Ed S. (IL), 09-16-2009 18:29:30   Ya I put some down today, not all that much but should make another 2 or 3 bales maybe 4 if I'm lucky. Sheared a bolt on the get go then the stupid tractor only wanted to run long enough to go half way down the field then die then start right back up and go the other half and die again. Boy what a pain. Oh well at least after this bit is put up I'm done for the year and get to start parking tractors back in the shed   [Reply]   [Send Email]
randallinMo 09-16-2009 09:26:14 216.74.197.161 19215 Report to Moderator	Re: Too late to cut hay in Central Illinois? in reply to Ed S. (IL), 09-15-2009 17:51:49   If you can get it cut this week, go for it. You generally want to let an alfalfa stand alone from the middle of Sept. to the first of November. It builds up root reserves (reverse plasmolosis) during this time that greatly help it make it through the winter. Many stand loses can be attributed to cutting during this time frame. You're right on the time borderline, but I'd cut it if I were you. It will also help keep the grass from going to seed.   [Reply]   [No Email]
old 09-15-2009 19:16:26 4.245.0.153 19206 Report to Moderator	Re: Too late to cut hay in Central Illinois? in reply to Ed S. (IL), 09-15-2009 17:51:49   Can't say for sure in your area but I know in my area if I get a 4 day window where the weather man says no rain I'm cutting some hay and crossing my fingers it drys fast enough to bale it. I would not bother doing it but have a guy who wants 20 bales and that might leave me a little short if I don't bale a few more   [Reply]   [Send Email]
GordoSD 09-15-2009 17:59:31 66.115.200.140 19205 Report to Moderator	Re: Too late to cut hay in Central Illinois? in reply to Ed S. (IL), 09-15-2009 17:51:49   If you can cut tomorrow you should be good. Weather looks great for at least 12 days. Same dilemna here in SD . I could cut Saturday (fourth cut) but will have to look at the weather. Other option is to cut after areal hard freeze. Gordo   [Reply]   [No Email]
GordoSD 09-15-2009 17:59:14 66.115.200.140 19204 Report to Moderator	Re: Too late to cut hay in Central Illinois? in reply to Ed S. (IL), 09-15-2009 17:51:49   If you can cut tomorrow you should be good. Weather looks great for at least 12 days. Same dilemna here in SD . I could cut Saturday (fourth cut) but will have to look at the weather. Other option is to cut after areal hard freeze. Gordo   [Reply]   [No Email]