SECTION 6 OPERATION
Form 169000 / 169040
96
Revision D
6.18 HAYING TIPS
6.18.1 Curing
a. 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 earlier the
start for next growth.
b. Leaving the windrow as wide and thin as
possible makes for the quickest curing
c. Cured hay should be baled as soon as possible.
6.18.2 Topsoil Moisture
LEVEL %
MOISTURE
CONDITION
Wet
Over 45%
Soil is Muddy
Damp
25 - 45%
Shows Footprints
Dry
Under 25%
Surface is Dusty
a. 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.
b. 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:
c. If ground is wet due to irrigation, wait until soil
moisture drops below 45%.
d. If 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.
e. Cut hay will dry no more until the ground under it
dries, so consider moving the windrow to drier
ground.
6.18.3 Weather and Topography
a. Cut as much hay as possible by mid-day, 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 hay is baled and chopped, 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.
d. If there is no wind, saturated air becomes
trapped around the windrow. Raking or tedding
will expose the hay to fresher, less saturated air.
e. Cut hay perpendicular to the direction of the
prevailing winds is also recommended.
6.18.4 Windrow Characteristics
It is recommended that a windrow with the
following characteristics be produced. Refer to
Section 6.17 HEADER OPERATION for
instructions on adjusting the header/mower
conditioner.
CHARACTERISTIC ADVANTAGE
High And Fluffy
Movement of air through windrow
is more important to the curing
process than is direct sunlight.
Consistent
Formation,
Not Bunchy
Permits an even flow of material
into the baler, chopper etc.
Even Distribution of
Material Across
Windrow
Results in even and consistent
bales to minimize handling and
stacking problems.
Properly
Conditioned
Prevents excessive leaf damage.
6.18.5 Driving On Windrow
Driving on previously cut windrows can lengthen
drying time by a full day in hay that will not be
raked.
If practical, set forming shields for a narrower
windrow that can be straddled.
NOTE
Driving on the windrow in high yielding
crops may be unavoidable if a full width
windrow is necessary.
6.18.6 Raking and Tedding
Raking or tedding speeds up drying, however
the benefits must be weighed against the
additional leaf losses which will result. There is
little or no advantage to raking or tedding if the
ground beneath the windrow is dry.
Large windrows on damp or wet ground should
be turned over when they reach 40-50%
moisture. Hay should not be raked or tedded at
less than 25% moisture or excessive yield
losses will result.
6.18.7 Chemical Drying Agents
Hay drying agents work by removing wax from
legume surfaces, enabling water to escape and
evaporate faster. However, treated hay lying on
wet ground will also absorb ground moisture
faster.
Before deciding to use a drying agent, costs and
benefits relative to your area should be carefully
compared.
