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Implement Alley Discussion Forum

Need advise on Alfalfa Hay

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Mike

07-01-2004 17:38:08




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This is the first year of raising alfalfa. I have cut grass hay and never had problem getting it cured and ready to bale. I bought a 478 NH haybine this year hoping to help with the drying time but here in Kentucky the humidity never helps with hay curing. Any pointers out there for using a haybine to cut alfalfa and get it dry enough to bale?? Any help appreciated.




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kyhayman

07-01-2004 17:49:33




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 Re: Need advise on Alfalfa Hay in reply to Mike, 07-01-2004 17:38:08  
Not sure where you are in KY (I'm 30 mins due east of Lexington). We have had exactly 2 windows when you might make alfalfa hay with a conditioner alone. A tedder will make you more time on curing than the conditioner, and will sure help after its conditioned. I posted some thoughts below on using preservatives or wrapping as options. My email is unmasked if you need to email me off site.



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Ben in KY

07-02-2004 07:50:44




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 Re: Re: Need advise on Alfalfa Hay in reply to kyhayman, 07-01-2004 17:49:33  
KyHayman,
30 min due east of Lexington ?? I live about 10 miles east of Winchester off of KY15. Neighbors ?



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kyhayman

07-02-2004 19:36:31




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 Re: Re: Re: Need advise on Alfalfa Hay in reply to Ben in KY, 07-02-2004 07:50:44  
Sorry Ben, guess I cant read a compass (would never believe I was in the Army :-)). I typed east and meant west :-) (wow, getting old I guess). I'm in Lawrenceburg, 10 miles west (got that right) of Versailles) and 12 mi south (checked that too) of Frankfort.



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Rick

07-01-2004 18:04:15




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 Re: Re: Need advise on Alfalfa Hay in reply to kyhayman, 07-01-2004 17:49:33  
Kyhayman; I take you like the tedder. I am trying to shorten my dry time also but not gaining much. I mow/condition and put it in tight as machine will lay. I have better luck that way than laying it flat. I am able to keep the color better also. But I usually can't bale till day 4. I have to be 16% or below to keep. I tried the treatments then people won't buy. I had seen tedder used and it looked like biggest joke going. It just shatter the alfalfa. I could see it for grass hay but alfalfa. What do you think.I am thinking about double crimping the next cut see what that does. Rick

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kyhayman

07-01-2004 18:29:36




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 Re: Re: Re: Need advise on Alfalfa Hay in reply to Rick, 07-01-2004 18:04:15  
The secret to a tedder is timing. When I got my first I retired my conditioner. First pass is 4 hours behind the disc mower, nets the same effect as the conditioner (shatters stems, bruising, etc). As long as it's less than 6 hours after the mower no shatter even in pure alfalfa. Actually takes a full day off curing for me compared to a 474 NH haybine (I had the same problem you did with color). I start cutting 8 am to noon, go to lunch and then tedder for about 2 hours. The next day I make a second pass with the tedder with full dew on . Usually rake with the evening dew on on day 2, bale on day 3. If I can keep my help going (my dad for some reason (he turns 80 next month) wants to quit after about 8 hours and my hired man thinks that a 10 hour day is enough :-).

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Rick

07-02-2004 05:48:40




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Need advise on Alfalfa Hay in reply to kyhayman, 07-01-2004 18:29:36  
kyhayman; What brand tedder do you use? You bale on day three what is the moisture is it still around 18 to 20% as I know we talked about this before. I can not get stuff to keep at that level needs to be 16% or below with accumulator. I was wondering have to ever used a treatment called Proserve I think. The one I am looking for was a molasses base do you think it would be worth try to treat with this stuff.I have hay in windrow now and it just would not quite go yesterday and talking heavy rain this afternoon. Looks like I get my first wet hay of the season. Oh well thats part of it I guess. MY help is me myself and I. HA HA My dad still rakes sometimes. He is 89

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kyhayman

07-02-2004 19:31:02




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Need advise on Alfalfa Hay in reply to Rick, 07-02-2004 05:48:40  
Wow, 89, hope my dad can stay at it that long.

I use a NI tedder, made by tonutti. Got it 1 year old at a dealer for $2500. Guy traded it for a hydraulic fold model.

By late in the day on day 3 I am down in the low teens. I like to bale under 18% (thats usually about 2 pm on day 3) but if I've got a lot or the weather is pushing I'll go as soon as it gets under 20 (about 10 am). If dad can bale and I can stack I can do 200 an hour until dark, if he cant I'll bale 500 and stack, then bale some more.

Only 2 preservatives I've used are Southern States house brand of 67% a.i. buffered propionic acid and Altechs version of 75% a.i. with some kind of super enzyeme. Cant tell much difference except the Altech comes in 5 gallon pails and the SS brand in 15 g drums, 5 g pail sure is easier on my back. Both are some type of glycol carrier. All the research I have seen from Universities say propionic acid is the only sure thing, regardless of the carrier it uses.

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Dave H (MI)

07-02-2004 06:38:50




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Need advise on Alfalfa Hay in reply to Rick, 07-02-2004 05:48:40  
Sure envy you guys having your dads working out their with you. Must be a great thing.



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