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Implement Alley Discussion Forum

hay question (been too many years)!

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Lew Best

06-29-2007 18:17:32




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Hey guys

Been lotsa years since I baled any hay (may be a while yet too if it don't quit raining). I have Coastal with quite a few weeds; plan to cut it with a drum type mower, raking with a wheel rake; baling with a square baler. IIRC I used to cut & rake the same day then wait a coupla days & bale it. What I can't recall is how to tell when it's "dry enough but not too dry." Don't really want to spend 100 bux on a moisture tester but don't want to start a fire either!

Just plan on using it for my donkeys, not selling it. Any tips appreciated!

Thanks!

Lew Best near Waco, TX

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Hayfarmer

06-29-2007 18:47:33




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 Re: hay question (been too many years)! in reply to Lew Best, 06-29-2007 18:17:32  
I usually take a handful of grass, twist it between my hands, around and round. If most of it breaks it is ready to bale. You can get by with a lot more in grass hay then alfalfa/clover. I also use a moisture tester now, has been well worth the $100 I paid for it but then I sell my hay.



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Lew Best

06-29-2007 18:51:34




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 Re: hay question (been too many years)! in reply to Hayfarmer, 06-29-2007 18:47:33  
Ok; that's what I think I used to do; been 25 years though so didn't remember for sure.

Thanks!

Lew



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BradM

06-29-2007 18:38:02




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 Re: hay question (been too many years)! in reply to Lew Best, 06-29-2007 18:17:32  
I am up here just west of Fort Worth, normally if I am square baling and it's 90+ degrees outside. I will cut with a disc mower, let it set until the 3rd day, rake into a windrow after dew is gone, then come back and bale right after. If you rake it the same day you cut, the bottom of the windrow will not dry out as fast as the top.



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TomTex

06-30-2007 02:49:38




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 Re: hay question (been too many years)! in reply to BradM, 06-29-2007 18:38:02  
Brad, where are you located. I am about 9 miles south of Weatherford. Tom



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BradM

06-30-2007 07:40:10




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 Re: hay question (been too many years)! in reply to TomTex, 06-30-2007 02:49:38  
I live north of town between Azle and Weatherford, do a lot of custom baling around in this area. The rains got me atleast 4 weeks behind now, and it looks like we have another week of it.



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Lew Best

06-30-2007 09:23:08




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 Re: hay question (been too many years)! in reply to BradM, 06-30-2007 07:40:10  
well, since we're all "kinda neighbors" you guys don't know of an old square bale loader rusting away that could be bouht cheap do you? Usta see them before round bales became so popular. They were a kinda conveyor thing that fastened to a wagon or truck &raised the bales up for loading. Since I work alone mostly I'm thinking I might be able to rig one to drop them into a trailer I have & just get off & straighten them out every so often. Would hafta be cheap; dont mind doing some work on one. Private reply addy is [email protected]

Lew near Waco

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Lew Best

06-29-2007 18:48:04




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 Re: hay question (been too many years)! in reply to BradM, 06-29-2007 18:38:02  
ok thanks guys! Brad sounds like your conditions are similar to mine so that should work here. Don't think the "mouth method" would work for me; wouldn't know what it should feel like.

Lew



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flying belgian

06-29-2007 18:22:51




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 Re: hay question (been too many years)! in reply to Lew Best, 06-29-2007 18:17:32  
I always hold it up to my lips. seams I can detect moisture that way.



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