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Why use a conditioner for hay?

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BUDD

02-11-2002 12:23:34




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Why does everyone use a hay conditioner now? What is the benifit from this? I asume it will press some of the water out, but I don't see it drieing any fast. THANKS BUDD




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willyz

02-16-2002 05:01:01




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 Re: Why use a conditioner for hay? in reply to BUDD, 02-11-2002 12:23:34  
The whole idea I think is to have the stalk or stem dry at a rate closer to that of the leaves. Crushing or cracking the stem allows this.



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Randy

02-11-2002 18:52:36




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 Re: Why use a conditioner for hay? in reply to BUDD, 02-11-2002 12:23:34  
A conditioner not only speeds up the drying proccess but the hay feeds into the baler so
much more evenly making a much better bale and allowing the baler to bale at a faster ground
speed.



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B.C.

02-11-2002 17:18:47




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 Re: Why use a conditioner for hay? in reply to BUDD, 02-11-2002 12:23:34  
Actually a couple things happen. Like the others said, the stems on the hay get cracked several places and this helps get the moisture out of the hay quicker.

But the hay also gets fluffed up and catches the wind much better than if was just mowed and let lay as with a sickle bar mower. It dries noticeable quicker and more uniformly. So things get speeded up a couple ways.

The heavier the hay and the thicker the stalks, the more it helps. I don't know why we didn't loose more hay than we did back in central Wis before those things came into common use.

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Josh

02-11-2002 16:08:38




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 Re: Why use a conditioner for hay? in reply to BUDD, 02-11-2002 12:23:34  
The crimping rolls put a small break in the stem every few inches so moisture can escape from them. It is easier for the moisture to go out a break in the stem then through the stem wall. I have used both and the moco does dry noticeably faster. Sometimes it seems like unconditioned hay is softer though.



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david

02-11-2002 13:11:23




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 Re: Why use a conditioner for hay? in reply to BUDD, 02-11-2002 12:23:34  
Steven, in the other post has a good point (I assume he is refering to cutting and baling the same day in the drier west). In more humid climates (like the Southeast) we don't get such dramatic results but it does take a good day off curing. I get comparable results with a disc mower and tedder as I do with my mower-conditioner, but that is is a humid environment.



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Steven@nd

02-11-2002 12:35:21




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 Re: Why use a conditioner for hay? in reply to BUDD, 02-11-2002 12:23:34  
The conditioner actually crimps the hay, breaking the stems and allowing it to dry faster due to the breaks or cracks in the stems.

Used to swath hay and wait a week to bale. Now we use the mower conditioner in the morning and bale that afternoon if conditions are right.

Steven



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