Too late to cut hay in Central Illinois?

Ed S. · Sep 15, 2009

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

GordoSD · Sep 15, 2009

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

GordoSD · Sep 15, 2009

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

old · Sep 15, 2009

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

randallinMo · Sep 16, 2009

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.

Ed S. · Sep 16, 2009

Thanks for the input, started cutting this afternoon and will finish tomorrow.

es

old · Sep 16, 2009

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

hayray · Sep 17, 2009

In Southern Michigan we are advised not to cut alfalfa between Septmeber 1 to October 15th otherwise significant stand thinning may be the result.

Ed S. · Sep 17, 2009

Hay is down, for better or for worse...

Now all of a sudden, they're calling for 40% chance of rain Sunday! :roll:

es

Anonymous-0 · Sep 18, 2009

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

old · Sep 18, 2009

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

JOE FARMER · Sep 19, 2009

HEY '''OLD SOUNDS LIKE A INJECTOR PUMP PROBLEM HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN 2 OUR OLIVER 1855

old · Sep 19, 2009

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

Leland2 · Oct 8, 2009

Salt the crap out of it and it may cure

Ed S. · Oct 8, 2009

We finally got it baled Monday after getting rain 7 out of 11 days. No salt needed this time.

es

Too late to cut hay in Central Illinois?

Ed S.

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old

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