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Implement Alley Discussion Forum

when to bale

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wally b

05-16-2006 09:10:17




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This is my first year baling grass hay for myself. What is a good rule of thumb as to when cuttings are ready to bale. I have heard that if you can twist the grass stems three times before they break, but not more then you are ready to bale.

wally




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mjbrown

05-17-2006 05:19:18




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 Re: when to bale in reply to wally b, 05-16-2006 09:10:17  
I squeeze a bunch in my hands and if it feels cool it's not ready. If it feels warm from my hands it's ready to bale.



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hayray

05-16-2006 16:50:21




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 Re: when to bale in reply to wally b, 05-16-2006 09:10:17  
You should be cutting cool season grasses ideally when they have flowered out with pollen on still, any time after that, especially with orchardgrass which the stem turns to straw real quick and the fiber really increases. Timothy and brome stay green for a lot longer. I cut and then rake with a bi-fold wheel rake and merge two rows into one once the hay is over `1/2 dry. I will start raking mid moring before the dew comes off usually the day that I am going to bale it. Rake as little as possible, each time you rake you loose 7-10% of the hay.

Ray

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joe/pa

05-16-2006 14:51:18




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 Re: when to bale in reply to wally b, 05-16-2006 09:10:17  
I've done the twisting bit and also the checking of the windrows for green. I usually don't wait for the dew to get off, but then again I either use a discbine or cutditioner. Ted the next morning, usually before the dew is off to keep from breaking leaves. Depending on how dry it is the 3rd day rake after the dew is off and bale later on that day. If after raking their is still some green rerake the next day and bale that afternoon.

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Dave H (MI)

05-16-2006 10:39:03




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 Re: when to bale in reply to wally b, 05-16-2006 09:10:17  
There are meters you can buy to test moisture. There are almost as many tricks like the one you mentioned as there are hay growers. Me, I walk around with my fork and turn over a dozen or so different rows and pick it up and stare at it a while and scratch my head. I twist it and bend it and smell it. Ultimately I decide if it is dry or not and then I bale it. Must be pretty good at it because I only messed up once and that was cause I waited until morning to start and it picked up the dew, I think. You want to be careful....don't burn down any barns.

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old

05-16-2006 09:51:51




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 Re: when to bale in reply to wally b, 05-16-2006 09:10:17  
I was always told that after it has dried a few days that you pick it up and if it rattles its ready.



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Rexalot

05-16-2006 12:01:02




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 Re: when to bale in reply to old, 05-16-2006 09:51:51  
Dave,

Thats what I do! Except I don't use a fork I just pick it up and see how much bright green I can find in the larger windrows. I've also twisted it etc...

As for when to cut the "grass". I try to get it before it goes to "head" or gets mature seed formed. I also try to find a window that I think it won't rain that'll give me 4 days. I'll cut after the dew burns off, let it lay a day or two flat, roll it after the dew burns off on the 2nd or 3rd day and either bale it that afternoon unless green or wait and roll again on the following day and bale it that afternoon.

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