Microwave Moisture Test Question

I have never tried the microwave moisture test before so I thought I would give it a shot. I have a postage scale to use. Maybe not the best but accurate anyway. So I read to put on 10 ounces. How do you get 10 ounces on a paper plate???? I had it overflowing with about 1.3 and 1.0 ounces respectively. Granted I didn't try to pack it down either... maybe I should have? So I ran the test and came up with 18.2% and 17.3% on my samples. Chance of a t storm tomorrow afternoon so I really would like to get the hay up prior to that.

Can anyone shed some light on what they use to hold the hay in the microwave other than maybe a paper plate? Just can't seem to get much on so I assume that affects the accuracy of the test?

THe hay has sat for 3 full days in 75 to 85 deg sun. ALthough we are having some heavy morning Dew lately.

I think its probably ready. Just looking for some help on the test and if my test is accurate with such a small qty? I plan to try a sample around 9am or so and see if its a go.

Thanks Guys

When the hay feels fairly dry and ready to bale, wait until the dew is off and it is really dry on top (usually after noon in KY), then rake it so it rolls up soft and the air can blow thru the windrow. Try to move all the hay, so none of the hay under the windrow is still on the ground where it was cut(holding ground moisture).

Start baleing on the first area you windrowed, which has given that hay a while to dry the underside, and as you finish the field all the hay in the windrows will have had a few hours to dry.

Especially around here where the sun is very hot and the wind often blows, a couple hours in the windrow will dry the hay a lot.

And when I got it done a few times that day, it agreed with my feeling tests. When the microwave test said the hay was ready, the hay felt ready and not before.

To test by feel, I grab under the windrow. If it feels damp, its too wet. I grab a bundle and twist it. If its tough, its too wet, if it snaps off its plenty dry. Seems the toughness of the hay kind of matches the moisture content.

Gerald J.

I will bale her up tomorrow. Hope to start early at it really because rain is due late afternoon/evening. I'll let you know the results!

Try 1 ounce or even .75 ounces. SOunds like your results were reasonable, use a smaller amount, some might not have gotten dry...

Bale it....(though at this hour probably too late...)

Ask a local farmer with experience to come feel and smell your hay. Odds are after 3 days it is fine to bale. There is a lot of art in hay making. The experienced old timers understand it naturally, the rest of us watch, ask advice and learn as we go.