Anyone made any hay yet?

[d williams]

As above really. Halfway through June now, no sign of any decent weather on the horizon for the next week or so, or indeed to the end of the month. I managed about 6 or 7 acres this time last week, mowed it on the Sunday, baled it late Wednesday afternoon. Looks decent stuff, was baled about 15-20% moisture with additive to make sure, no heat in the stack so should be fine. Anyone else managed to make a start?

Baled some of the best hay in last couple years last thurs for a customer took headland as wrapped haylage week before very little fert on it cut on Sunday baled Thursday afternoon 7ft quads why that size don't know

 

[ffukedfarmer]

I did some haylage last thursday and left 3 rows to test new baler. It wasn't quite fit but I've left them on the trailer in an airy shed and they haven't yet heated.
Friday was much better than forecast, reckon I could have baled most of the field as small hay.

 

[David.]

Some dry haylage last Thurs, would not have baled as hay Friday.
Thunderstorm last Tues evening, and overcast clammy day Weds made it a poor drying week here.

 

[Clever Dic]

If things keep up the way they are I reckon your dryer will pay for itself in one season..........

Think it may be the way forward not sure if to go for a second Veda dryer or look at another machine that does the same sort of thing but a different way . Going to take a peak next month.

 

[Northeastfarmer]

Wimbledon is often the best hay fortnight

"We're all going on a summer holiday"

 

[Shep]

Made hay last week of May, super stuff, the smell makes me want to eat some every time I walk past the shed. going to be packed into small bags for the pet food market.

 

[Ducati899]

got 80 acres of haylage/hay to do,weather isn't looking great for us for the whole month so gonna be a case of doing a field at a time i think as i need it off for grazing ground

 

[Still Farming]

Going to take some drying now as lots gone flat and yellow in butt now ???

 

[Ducati899]

think I'm going down the haylage route,would of normally had ours off by now but as it was so wet in the spring we couldn't get near it

 

[Clever Dic]

I think everyone is panicing there is time yet to make good product. I have been doing this for 25 years and have had two years when I never made a saleable bale in June and I am still doing it and nothing else. Strewth I have 800 acres of first cut left.

 

[Ducati899]

I'm put off by hay these days,been making it for years then 2 years ago we made 1150 quadrant bales of the stuff,was down on the ground for 10 days then left out for another 10 days,9 weeks later the lot went up in flames

 

[Welsh Farmer]

Strewth I have 800 acres of first cut left.

I did 7 acres of hay a fortnight ago ... so pull your finger out @Clever Dic

In honesty it was grazing that just got away from me. I was going to top it but it was looking so good that I mowed and did some small bales for myself; the weather was just so good and it made very easily.

 

[Grassman]

Many years we don't get much done till July. A few years ago we didn't get going till August. Most grass was laid flat with fresh stuff growing though it. Looked awful but we actually sold virtually everything. I am sure @Clever Dic remembers that year. I seem to remember you wrote off a hell of a lot of grass.

 

[billboy 1]

Made some last week was down for 6 days and looks like it lovely stuff

 

[Grassman]

It's absolutely pouring with rain here. No chance of anything being started round here this week.
I missed a few days last week that turned out nice. I'm am regretting not cutting now.

 

[Derrick Hughes]

My market is 90% meadow hay that needs to be young fine and green, it will run away quick from now on,

 

[Clever Dic]

Many years we don't get much done till July. A few years ago we didn't get going till August. Most grass was laid flat with fresh stuff growing though it. Looked awful but we actually sold virtually everything. I am sure @Clever Dic remembers that year. It seem to remember you wrote off a hell of a lot of grass.

Sadly yes I actually gave 250 acres away and turned 400 into big bale silage but you need to remember the customer is still there and has a requirement. I did a deal with a large diary unit and bought all his 2nd cut straight Italian which because of the rain was like first cut but was ready when the weather was good. Likewise my own 2nd cut was great because of the rain and for hay I flew to southern France and imported the stuff
Remember the customer is still there treat it as an opportunity to make yourself indispensable.

 

[Poncherello1976]

Did haylage 2 weeks ago. Will probably cut some grass on Friday, and trust the forecast that as it says it will stay dry it will stay dry well in to next week. Then hopefully bale some hay on Thursday/Friday.

 

[Clever Dic]

My market is 90% meadow hay that needs to be young fine and green, it will run away quick from now on,

The customer has not disappeared put yourself in the driving seat and if no one has anything better find an alternative.

 

[Sid]

Oh the joys of being organic, got grass that isn't spoiling yet...but will grow like mad later in the year when the soil warms up and the clover takes off!