How long to make hay

[Mr Tree]

As title suggests,there is bound to be more than me that's drooped some grass for hay and is now holding on by the seat of their pants!!!!

Question how long do you regard grass to make hay at the moment, do you turn daily twice daily ? Is the more you turn it speed the process or is it just recreational?

I think I can make good hay in 4 days or 3 absolute scorches turned one stroke twice a day.

Thoughts anyone

 

[Pan mixer]

As title suggests,there is bound to be more than me that's drooped some grass for hay and is now holding on by the seat of their pants!!!!

Question how long do you regard grass to make hay at the moment, do you turn daily twice daily ? Is the more you turn it speed the process or is it just recreational?

I think I can make good hay in 4 days or 3 absolute scorches turned one stroke twice a day.

Thoughts anyone

There are several recent threads that have done this subject at length, the old adage that there is more hay spoiled in good weather (by people baling too early) than is spoiled in bad weather is very true

 

[More to life]

You could have easily asked how long is a piece of string and get as many answers . 2-14 days but I'd agree that 4 in good conditions is about right

 

[Pan mixer]

You could have easily asked how long is a piece of string and get as many answers . 2-14 days but I'd agree that 4 in good conditions is about right

My last two lots took 12 and 13 days with only one rain event.

 

[Derrick Hughes]

A lot depends on the grass, it takes me 5 good days to make haylage and that's a good day off hay

 

[Vincent]

It always seems to take me longer than every one else they must bale early or some thing

 

[EJS]

It always seems to take me longer than every one else they must bale early or some thing

I always think that, but almost always seems to need one day longer than the good weather lasts and its so hard not to bale if its so close and rain coming

 

[pdm]

I'm new to this. Does leaving it longer affect the quality?

 

[Kidds]

With this heat and wind it's almost made by time it hits the deck.

 

[roscoe erf]

What are you cutting it with a moco is there a spreader kit on mower these things with good weather speed the job up so many variables have made hay in 2days and some in 8 days

 

[Derrick Hughes]

I'm new to this. Does leaving it longer affect the quality?

Let's bake a cake, if we put abit to much liquid in at the time of mixing not a problem, then it's in the oven, timing here needs to be spot on, if it's undercooked chuck it to the dogs if you over cook it even the dogs won't eat it, if the dog wees on it when it's half cooked well that's the biggest disaster of all

 

[JPB]

weve had some out for 6 weeks before if anyone can beat that!

 

[MRT]

I may be going to try if we catch the weather bbc now promise tomorrow afternoon and Friday. Muppets.

 

[Clive Tee]

PRG, average heavy cut takes me about 5 days minimum in this weather, but I try to make it 7 just for luck. Cut mine last Friday and it's not ready yet. Baling this Friday weather permitting.

 

[vinnie123]

Cut some here yesterday morning, tedded out mid afternoon and again today, it would've baled tonight if needed but left till tomorrow afternoon. 30degrees and 20mph breeze soon dries it out?

 

[DRC]

There's so many variables.
If it's old pasture that's had no fertiliser, of course it's going to make quicker than a heavier crop of half decent stuff.
Is there any feed value in some of the stuff you see being cut. Looks like sticks to me!

 

[Kevtherev]

As above lots of variables.
Stuff that's a newish ley and been dosed with white pellets will take longer than an older more thinner ley.

 

[bobk]

There's so many variables.
If it's old pasture that's had no fertiliser, of course it's going to make quicker than a heavier crop of half decent stuff.
Is there any feed value in some of the stuff you see being cut. Looks like sticks to me!

You don't want feed value , it's just got to keep em alive , bit of colour +smell job done

 

[Henarar]

cut some yesterday morning baled it this afternoon

 

[DrWazzock]

It takes forever.

If you think it's dry, give it another day. Turn it as often as possible.

At least five days of hot dry weather IMO. It should come out the back of the Tedder and stand up in the row, not fall back to the ground, if it's ready.