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Revision A
3.11
Haying Tips
3.11.1
Curing
Curing crops quickly helps maintain the highest quality of crop material as 5% of protein is lost from hay for each day that it
lays on the ground after cutting.
Leaving the windrow as wide and fluffy as possible results in the quickest curing. Cured hay should be baled as soon as
possible.
3.11.2
Topsoil Moisture
Table 3.2 Topsoil Moisture Levels
Level
% Moisture
Condition
Wet
Over 45%
Soil is muddy
Damp
25
–
45%
Shows footprints
Dry
Under 25%
Surface is dusty
•
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.
•
If ground is wet due to irrigation, wait until soil moisture drops below 45%.
•
If ground is wet due to frequent rains, cut hay when weather allows and let the forage lie on wet ground until it dries to
the moisture level of the ground.
•
Cut hay will dry only to the moisture level of the ground beneath it, 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.
•
Slopes that face the sun receive up to 100% more exposure to the sun
’
s heat than slopes that do not face the sun. If
hay is baled and chopped, consider baling sun-facing slopes and chopping slopes that do not.
•
When relative humidity is high, the evaporation rate is low and hay dries slowly.
•
Humid air is trapped around the windrow in calm conditions. Raking or tedding will expose the hay to fresher and
drier air.
•
Cut hay perpendicular to the direction of the prevailing winds if possible.
