With all these factors in mind, it is best to mow the hay when it has the best chance of a successful drying, or Morning after the dew has dried up. The old saying goes: « Dry the hay! »

What time of day should the hay be mowed?

In my opinion, the time of day to cut forage for hay is when you find you have a good chance of getting it right before the next rain.Unless you predict excellent extended drying conditions, this may mean cutting in the morning. To improve hay quality, dry it and make it as fast as possible.

Is it okay to mow the lawn at night?

Although starch and simple sugars accumulate during the day, large amounts of these carbohydrates are used for growth and maintenance (through the process of respiration) at night. so, Harvesting crops at night may maximize sugar in cropsat least when cutting.

How late can you mow hay?

Time for the last cut: Allow plenty of time between the last alfalfa cuts in the fall and when the first killing frost occurs. This gives the plant enough time to recover and build up nutrient reserves in the roots to get through the winter.

What is the best time of day to mow alfalfa hay?

preference Cut in the late afternoon is convincing and originates from many studies conducted in the western United States. Not only were PM-cut forages (alfalfa and grass) of higher quality, but the researchers also had compelling evidence that animals preferred AM-cut hay.

When to mow: time of day

33 related questions found

What if you don’t cut alfalfa?

If it stays dry, these sprouts may die.Once your alfalfa does get enough rain to regenerate it It may regenerate faster if it is cut, but it will also regrow after ample rain without cutting.

How long does it take for hay to be baled?

The grass should be in an early vegetative stage and not growing, with enough growth to make mowing worthwhile. Schedule your mowing around the most reliable weather forecast you can find.basically need about three days Good weather to heal the hay, which can be a challenge in late May or early June.

What happens if the lawn is mowed too late?

You can expect this very late first mowing Lower TDN, RFV, Crude Protein and DE values ​​and NDF and ADF percentages than the second cut hay you are used to feedingassuming that the second cut hay is usually harvested when it is less mature.

How do you know when to mow the lawn?

If the hay is ready, it will creaking, almost popping. Do this test with the hay at the bottom of your haystack. If the hay is still damp, you have two options: You can use a tedder to turn the hay over and help it dry faster.

Is the first cut of hay better than the second?

Timothy hay is one of the most popular hay for horses. … Timothy must be harvested before or early in bloom to ensure high nutrient content.Usually the content of weeds in the first cuttings is higher, and the quality decreases after the second cuttings, so The second cut is usually the best feed.

Can you use dew hay?

If dry conditions are poor, it rains or the hay is heavy, it may be done again. This works for any type, grass or legumes or mix, if a lot of beans use slow revs and do it in dew. Often you only have a few hours to do the right thing.

How do you know when the hay is dry enough to be baled?

Fold the stems in half or twist them in a circular motion Seeing if the stem breaks cleanly will give the farmer a chance to bale. « If all the stems break and crack, that’s an indication that the hay has cured, and then you can rely on the moisture test you get from the probe, » Yaremcio said.

How many acres of hay can be cut in one hour?

Hay Master

This will make you move around 12 acres/hour.

Will dew damage hay?

To make good hay, there must be enough moisture to keep all leaves intact. Too dry and they will crumble and fall off during packing.too wet, and hay will be hot and mold. … « This will make better hay – pack it with a little moisture, whether it’s from dew or from a very light shower, » Thomas said.

Why do farmers bales hay at night?

night baling yes Option to pack with enough moisture to preserve leaves. For you and day baling, the time of day to rak the hay is in the morning when the humidity is above 90%. (Now the hay can be in the belly regardless of the humidity in the house, weather station, or field.)

Will Haibin mow hay?

Conditioner (or Hay Conditioner) is an agricultural implement that can curl and Crushing freshly mowed hay Promotes faster, more even drying. … Haybine and Discbine are brand names for lawnmower conditioners, although some farmers use these names to some extent.

Can you cut and bale hay the same day?

In a trial at the University of Wisconsin-Arlington Research Station (Figure 2) Alfalfa Placed in large sheets, it reaches 65% moisture in about 8 hours and can be harvested for hay the same day it is cut.

How often do you mow?

Optimal conditions for the first cut can usually be expected at South May 15, North May 25. While different cuttings provide different levels of nutrition (the subject of a future blog), the most important decision on hay quality is its state of maturity when it is cut.

Will rain hurt mowing lawns?

If the hay is partially dry and brittle, the quality of leafy forage is especially degraded when it rains after cutting. The power of the rain shatters the leaves This is the highly digestible and high protein part of the crop.

Is 3rd mowing hay good for horses?

third cut

It is also leafy and soft, so the horse will find it attractive. However, it lacks fiber compared to the first and second cuttings, and horses need a lot of fiber, and they can be difficult to digest. You can fix this by mixing the hay from the third cut with the first or second cut.

Is second cut hay higher in sugar?

The second cut will be leafy, but no higher sugar content. But the second cut « looks » better. Mostly grass founders are caused by overfeeding, underutilizing horses – they just don’t burn calories! IMO, most horses do better on lower quality feed, but more.

Is mowing hay late good for horses?

Mow hay late Provide adequate energy and nutrition (i.e. carbohydrates, protein, minerals, vitamins, etc.), most horses thrive even when pregnant, nursing or exercising. They usually contain fewer weeds than early-cut hay.

Will the hay be too dry to be baled?

While hay with very low moisture may not be at risk for mold and bacteria growth, that’s because most of the hay’s nutritional value has been lost. When the hay is too dry before baling, The grass leaves become hard and brittlemaking them easier to fall off.

Does raking hay help with drying?

Raking tends to roll the wetter hay from the bottom of the strip onto the outer surface of the stack, which improve drying. After the initial improvement, the increase in strip density reduces the drying rate, so the moisture content of the crop when raking is important. … In silage making, drying is not so important.

How many times a year do you mow the lawn?

Unfortunately, the weather and other promises don’t always allow you to mow at the best time.In most parts of the country, hay can Cut twice a year, sometimes three times. The first cut usually has the greatest yield. Some animals, such as sheep, prefer to cut the tender stems of the hay a second or third time.