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Implement Alley Discussion Forum

Baling hay too soon

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okieBob

06-22-2006 19:10:52




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My neighbor agreed to bale the few acres of grass I have. He has baled for other neighbors so I thought that it was a good move on my part. However, for whatever reason he cut, raked and baled in the same day. The grass was kind of green and now my sister (a horse person) says its no good for her horses. So my question is: It this hay good for anything since it didn't lay for a day or two before raking and baling. It was a hot day the day it was done, no dew in the morning but the grass was green.

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Gwiz

06-23-2006 20:22:01




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 Re: Baling hay too soon in reply to okieBob, 06-22-2006 19:10:52  
Those same 'horse people' are the ones who turn down the best hay in the world because there was a little rain shower passed through. Two years ago, came home from work to bale the hay. Didn't even know it had rained till wife told me as I went out the door. I raked at 4:30, had it dry and ready to bale by 6:00. Buyer refused it, so I had to sell it to someone else for more money than the first guy was going to pay. I'm in NE Kansas, and lots of hay would bale the same day if it weren't for the humidity.

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LeRoy DeLong

06-23-2006 11:47:26




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 Re: Baling hay too soon in reply to okieBob, 06-22-2006 19:10:52  
grass hay will not have the stem moisture in it that other hay has, so it can be baled quicker and the better color you have the better the hay. I agree with the other guy"s in regard to watching the bale for moisture



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MN Bob

06-23-2006 04:38:12




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 Re: Baling hay too soon in reply to okieBob, 06-22-2006 19:10:52  
okieBob; Try this site. After one shot using the microwave test my wife bought a 50 dollar microwave and said put this in the shop and stay out of my kitchen with your hay. Good luck, chances are he was right and you can show your sister there is nothing wrong with the hay. Bob
http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/bse/442-106/442-106.html



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Greg C

06-22-2006 21:19:56




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 Re: Baling hay too soon in reply to okieBob, 06-22-2006 19:10:52  
As long as there's not a musty smell, or dust when you break the bales open you should be alright. If I remember right it takes about 5 days or so for the bales to stop heating up if they're baled too wet. After that you can break open a bale and you'll know what kind of shape they're in, takes a little time for the mold to grow. I made that mistake on my first cutting this year, ruined 185 bales OUCH! My own darned fault, got in a hurry. While horses will eat moldy hay, it's really not that good for them. Horses seem to have more problems with mold than cows or goats. I wound up giving all mine to a neighbor for his goats. Hope yours turns out alright.

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Allan In NE

06-22-2006 20:39:37




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 Re: Baling hay too soon in reply to okieBob, 06-22-2006 19:10:52  
Bob,

Bet your neighbor knows what he's doin'. I sure wouldn't worry about it.

When hay is ready, it's ready. No rule says ya have to leave it laying on the ground anyway.

Allan



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Nebraska Cowman

06-22-2006 19:34:42




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 Re: Baling hay too soon in reply to okieBob, 06-22-2006 19:10:52  
I often cut grass hay in the afternoon and start baling the next morning. What is the hay like? Did it heat in the bale? how much? Did it turn brown? or black? Did any of the bales catch fire? It is musty smelling? Does it have white mold? I've never seen hay that a cow wouldn't eat. And my horse eats the same feed as the cows. Don't fret about your sister. She probably buys canned dog food too.

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Dave H (MI)

06-22-2006 19:32:39




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 Re: Baling hay too soon in reply to okieBob, 06-22-2006 19:10:52  
In OK it may just be hot enough to pull that off but if it were me I would store them outside away from anything I cared about for a few days and see if they heat up. Then break a few open and see if they smell clean or are dusty and moldy on the inside. If they look and smell good then they are probably fine. Bad hay is pretty obvious in a short while. The last person I would take haying advice from is a horse lady...even a relative. You could also buy a moisture meter and check it right away. Just keep an eye on it and see what happens.

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