Hay making 2020

[Mark C]

The last few bales:

Should be in classics earning their keep, last paddock was at an outlying farm where the MF telehandler (really a Matbro) and 590 both live as yard machines. Combined age 74 years

How’s the supertino going ? Would you recommend ?

 

[Goweresque]

How’s the supertino going ? Would you recommend ?

Its gone well, apart from when I baled a chunk of wood and bent a needle fortunately a new one was available off the shelf and I was back up and running in a few days, which again luckily coincided with one of the many damp spells we had this summer.

I think the biggest problem with it was lack of PDI-ing - it arrived straight from the factory, where it supposedly had been PDI'd but given the number of niggly little problems that I immediately had (leaking hydraulic hoses, one knotter not playing ball) I'm pretty sure it wasn't. You're dealing with one guy who imports them, so all warranty work has to be done by a local spanner man at his expense, which it was, but of course the local chap doesn't know the machine so its a bit of learning curve for him too.

Having said that once all the niggles were sorted its been good. Makes a good bale even in small swaths, swallows far more material than the old one. As to long term reliability, only time will tell........

 

[glasshouse]

Its gone well, apart from when I baled a chunk of wood and bent a needle fortunately a new one was available off the shelf and I was back up and running in a few days, which again luckily coincided with one of the many damp spells we had this summer.

I think the biggest problem with it was lack of PDI-ing - it arrived straight from the factory, where it supposedly had been PDI'd but given the number of niggly little problems that I immediately had (leaking hydraulic hoses, one knotter not playing ball) I'm pretty sure it wasn't. You're dealing with one guy who imports them, so all warranty work has to be done by a local spanner man at his expense, which it was, but of course the local chap doesn't know the machine so its a bit of learning curve for him too.

Having said that once all the niggles were sorted its been good. Makes a good bale even in small swaths, swallows far more material than the old one. As to long term reliability, only time will tell........

Sounds like my 12 yr old baler!!

 

[Bury the Trash]

Not much grass about with us this year so wont be too rank even by mid september. Still holding out as we've still got a good bit to do....

the late bit, have you cut it /made it yet aamoi?

 

[robs1]

Cut our last 40 acres yesterday, a mix of second and third cut, 15 acres of it has a fair cut of about 40/50 bales to the acre I think, the rest is very light but needs doing.
Mowers blown off and washed a d out away for winter, 30 acres of straw to bale tomorrow then the hay at some point next week and the baler can go away too, not sorry to be done with it this year.

 

[markpentre]

Still 5 acre of hay to do here in North Wales fingers crossed for a dry and sunny 5 days soon. If nothing by end of the month it will be getting wrapped in plastic. Been a real stop start summer for small bale hay. Not cutting enough in one go incase weather changes has been the main problem!!

 

[bobk]

Still 5 acre of hay to do here in North Wales fingers crossed for a dry and sunny 5 days soon. If nothing by end of the month it will be getting wrapped in plastic. Been a real stop start summer for small bale hay. Not cutting enough in one go incase weather changes has been the main problem!!

HAY ... gave that job up 2 months ago .

 

[Ali_Maxxum]

the late bit, have you cut it /made it yet aamoi?

Done stacks since that post, yes. Got another 20 ac on the floor as we speak. Another 20ac to possibly wrap and a few bits and pieces around home as well as some 2nd cut I'd like to try and wrap.

 

[Goweresque]

My contractor knocked down some second cut grass yesterday, I walked the dogs past it earlier and was surprised how much its turned, there was a good smell from the field. If he's lucky he might get it this week.....

 

[Bury the Trash]

My contractor knocked down some second cut grass yesterday, I walked the dogs past it earlier and was surprised how much its turned, there was a good smell from the field. If he's lucky he might get it this week.....

I've cut some tonight ,not overly confident and almost booked the forager but im going to give it a go... we could do with a few more bales...

 

[onthehoof]

Last bit done today!
Worth having though 1400 bales off 10 acres, do as a bellyfiller

 

[FG.]

Last bit done today!
Worth having though 1400 bales off 10 acres, do as a bellyfiller

Good on ya. Fair old crop.
Had a load second cut to make, but sadly went into plastic.
As weather is hopeless

 

[Devil's advocate]

Haylage worthless locally. But small bale hay, top dollar.

Have some 2nd cut, wondered about cutting with verge mower (flail) to get a wilt fast & baling for hay whatever the rake picks up? Might just turn sheep on some, but they are not exactly short of grazing.

 

[holywell farmer]

Be very tough to wilt grass to make hay later in the month as average temperatures drop.

 

[toquark]

Have some 2nd cut, wondered about cutting with verge mower (flail) to get a wilt fast & baling for hay whatever the rake picks up? Might just turn sheep on some, but they are not exactly short of grazing.

They might be come January, could be handy to have some overstood grass for filling their bellies later in winter. They’ll tidy it up for next spring, save you the diesel and hassle of flailing it.

 

[markpentre]

Summers not over yet!! Looking good this weekend into start of next week. Luckily what we have left to do has had no fert so its not gone to crap. Im sure there will be a call for small bale hay this winter and we have plenty to shift!!

 

[YorkshireAndrew]

I cut some for hay yesterday , it’s drying surprisingly well & should bale Monday/Tuesday .

 

[Goweresque]

There's always a chance. Last year August was its usual monsoon, but then we got that glorious 3rd week of September, latest I've ever baled hay, it was 20 degrees plus all week.

Jus' sayin'...........

 

[Northernlights]

There's always a chance. Last year August was its usual monsoon, but then we got that glorious 3rd week of September, latest I've ever baled hay, it was 20 degrees plus all week.

Yes baled last hay of 2019 on the 17th of September with 18c temperature, a strong west wind,bright sunshine and an RH of 45%. It was the latest I have ever baled hay but in September you do tend to lose the humidity of summer and get more strong winds. Quality and colour was very good

 

[FG.]

Jus' sayin'...........

So what happened to the rain forecast last week for rain tue/wed, this coming week.
Now looks like I could of made some hay and cut my wheat dry!.
Instead, I've got some wheat to dry and the hay is in plastic