Can I cut this hay?

TDJD · Sep 14, 2019

I cut 20 acres of hay around the middle of July. The hay has grown to about a foot high. If I cut it now, would it be worth the work? Also will the rake and baler pick it up?
Thanks

Billy NY · Sep 14, 2019

I would think so, I cut the field next to my house with a rotary, 3rd time this season, as low as I could and it was 12" to 18".
Mower conditioner or disc mower would have cut enough to swath and rake into windrows. If you have good drying conditions, would dry quickly, more so if you could ted it. Might be at the limit at 12", but sure makes nice hay.

The result of mine was very good as hay, I took the lawn sweep and collected as much as I could after drying in the field. I spread out on a tarp and this makes some very nice 2nd cut dry grass hay, the smell of it is very rich. I've got some very small critters that like it, so it's just a hobby now, but I have done lots of 2nd and or subsequent cuts to make dry grass small square bales of hay with good results. Heavy cuttings can be hard to get dry, will depend on weather and what equipment you have.

You'll want to rake into appropriate size windrows for the baler. Yield will be light, but again, always makes great hay.

WayneLee · Sep 14, 2019

I have cut less than that

paul · Sep 14, 2019

Depending on location, it might cut into how much hay you get next year. Will the legumes have time to regrow and reseed their root by freeze up?

Hard to get a perspective if it is beer can or mid thigh high there. If you need the hay I would go after it! No problem.

If it?s just because, I would weigh the options.

Paul

TDJD · Sep 14, 2019

Here?s a picture that might help. I don?t have any animals, so I don?t need the hay. But I don?t know if I?ll get to cut this field next year.

showcrop · Sep 14, 2019

I sure would cut it. Drying it may take some extra work and time and trips over the field but if you can get what you should for it it would be worth it.

old · Sep 14, 2019

All depends on if you need more hay or have some one who wants hay or you have a place to store it. This year I have more hay then I have ever had and my 2nd cutting is as good as my first cutting

David G · Sep 14, 2019

Cutting it is fine, getting it to dry enough to bale this year could be another thing.

Northvale PA · Sep 14, 2019

Just put up 35 small bales per acre on 3rd cut grass, cut 5 weeks earlier for the 2nd cut. Horse people love that type hay. Photo is 4th cut alfalfa grass mix, cut last Friday night. That made about 60 bales per acre. We do tedd it 2x per day and bale on 3rd day.

showcrop · Sep 15, 2019

When making second cut hay we rake at the end of the second day of drying, for two purposes: first it reduces the exposure of the hay to dew, and second it will bring up wet bunches missed by the tedder, from the places where the mowing tractor ran over it and pressed it down. This may not be necessary where the ground is well drained. After the windrows have been in the sun for a few hours on the third day we tip them over.

Can I cut this hay?

TDJD

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Billy NY

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WayneLee

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paul

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TDJD

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showcrop

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old

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David G

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Northvale PA

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showcrop

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