Any one use the microwave moisture test to determine hay moisture prior to baling? Is it a reliable/trustworthy measurement technique?
Reason I ask is we did the test on some hay that basically that was cut on Wednesday, laid in the sun on Thursday, was raked on Friday and tested for baling today (Saturday) via the microwave test. Moisture content was around 10%. The hay looked and felt dry, but failed the old 3 twist rule I've read so much about. IMHO, this hay was ready to be baled and we did.
While we were testing the hay mentioned above, we also tested another batch of hay. Part of it was cut late evening Thursday and the balance was cut early Friday morning. Dew was on the hay when cut. This hay had from the time the dew burned off, about 11 am to about 7 pm with direct sunlight, clear skies and maybe a slight breeze from time. This hay had a repeat of weather conditions today (Saturday), but around 3pm, we tested the moisture via microwave and the moisture content was around 10-13%. It looked and felt dry, but failed the old 3 twist test. If I rely on the microwave test and my eyes and feel, I think I could have baled this hay today too - but I'm thinking without a tedder or crimped, I need to wait longer. BTW, the hay isn't crazy thick, but it ain't super thin either.
Question is - is the moisture test a reliable measure for hay? Anyone use it? Anyone cut hay early one day and bale late the next?
Thanks!
Bill
Reason I ask is we did the test on some hay that basically that was cut on Wednesday, laid in the sun on Thursday, was raked on Friday and tested for baling today (Saturday) via the microwave test. Moisture content was around 10%. The hay looked and felt dry, but failed the old 3 twist rule I've read so much about. IMHO, this hay was ready to be baled and we did.
While we were testing the hay mentioned above, we also tested another batch of hay. Part of it was cut late evening Thursday and the balance was cut early Friday morning. Dew was on the hay when cut. This hay had from the time the dew burned off, about 11 am to about 7 pm with direct sunlight, clear skies and maybe a slight breeze from time. This hay had a repeat of weather conditions today (Saturday), but around 3pm, we tested the moisture via microwave and the moisture content was around 10-13%. It looked and felt dry, but failed the old 3 twist test. If I rely on the microwave test and my eyes and feel, I think I could have baled this hay today too - but I'm thinking without a tedder or crimped, I need to wait longer. BTW, the hay isn't crazy thick, but it ain't super thin either.
Question is - is the moisture test a reliable measure for hay? Anyone use it? Anyone cut hay early one day and bale late the next?
Thanks!
Bill