Who's making hay next week...

[Bob c]

the hot sun tends to fry it and can be rely crispy but the knuckle on the stem
think it fit and bale too early

 

[andybk]

Stupid question but why is that ? Is it because it’s baled to early feels like it’s made but then sweets up and goes fousty ?

baled to quick the leaves dry , but not enough time to dry stems which retain moisture ,may hay is very difficult to make well , june is best but easier to make july hay as stem is dead by then

 

[trewern]

Ok I get it now so what’s the best way to check moisture content ? Before baling

 

[cattleman123]

I'll see you all tomorrow for a hand carrying these to the shed, food and beer provided, many thanks!

If you had used a sledge we may have come over...come on try to make life easier

 

[neilo]

If you had used a sledge we may have come over...come on try to make life easier

I struggle to understand this aversion to sledges. On the thread about the ‘Family Farm’ program, it showedbales being made with a Welgar baler behind a newish JD tractor (both not the cheapest options), but dropped out in single bales for manual handling.
It’s no wonder big bales are so popular.

 

[Boohoo]

This was cut 48 hours before the photo was taken, has only been turned twice and is already at the haylage stage. Never seen grass drying so quickly, if I'd known it was going to be this easy I could've stuck with the haybob for another year.

 

[andybk]

I struggle to understand this aversion to sledges. On the thread about the ‘Family Farm’ program, it showedbales being made with a Welgar baler behind a newish JD tractor (both not the cheapest options), but dropped out in single bales for manual handling.
It’s no wonder big bales are so popular.

there was a field near sedge mrkt , must have been 20 - 30 acres , baled up few years ago made well , all in single bales , then surprise surprise we had a heavy storm , and it rained for a few days what a waste , at least could have been stacked with a sledge , even an old perry sledge you could have chucked a few sheets over the piles , I was always taught to stack and sheet (just cheap 5x4 m woven sheets ) any that cant be hauled behind the baler , did it with old hand piled 6's with perry loader and now do it with flat 8s , stupid to allow it to get wet

 

[ffukedfarmer]

Had a good day yesterday, baled 2670 bales in just under 5 hours off 20 acres.

 

[Northeastfarmer]

This was cut 48 hours before the photo was taken, has only been turned twice and is already at the haylage stage. Never seen grass drying so quickly, if I'd known it was going to be this easy I could've stuck with the haybob for another year.

It can’t of been that hot if its still that green after 48 hours...I cut some the other day and you cut see it changing after an hour

 

[Selectamatic]

If you had used a sledge we may have come over...come on try to make life easier

I don't have a flat 8, none of my customers have a grab, and i think its a lot of weight to be dragging round behind a baler in awkward all shapes fields

I do have a little drag sledge, that bunches them in 3,4,5's but when you ask if they want a sledge, it's rare that they say yes!

Once I make a set of wheels for it, I'll start to tow it about...

 

[Skintagain]

I don't have a flat 8, none of my customers have a grab, and i think its a lot of weight to be dragging round behind a baler in awkward all shapes fields

I do have a little drag sledge, that bunches them in 3,4,5's but when you ask if they want a sledge, it's rare that they say yes!

Once I make a set of wheels for it, I'll start to tow it about...

Just buy a box section browns for £300.00 and tow it around. We go 8 miles to our farthest fields.

 

[Boohoo]

It can’t of been that hot if its still that green after 48 hours...I cut some the other day and you cut see it changing after an hour

That grass isn't far off baling for hay although it maybe doesn't look like it in the photo. It's leafy meadow grass and only rain will take the colour out of it.

 

[Sid]

there was a field near sedge mrkt , must have been 20 - 30 acres , baled up few years ago made well , all in single bales , then surprise surprise we had a heavy storm , and it rained for a few days what a waste , at least could have been stacked with a sledge , even an old perry sledge you could have chucked a few sheets over the piles , I was always taught to stack and sheet (just cheap 5x4 m woven sheets ) any that cant be hauled behind the baler , did it with old hand piled 6's with perry loader and now do it with flat 8s , stupid to allow it to get wet

Use to pyramids here 2 3 or 4 bales on ends if possibility of shower.
Kids job that was behind sledge

 

[Bob c]

i can just remember collecting 5 - 6 bales,....then stacking and picking up with Perry bale loader

over 40 years ago
how things have changed how we handle the same type of bale now

 

[had e nuff]

Been cut 8 days now. Looks ready but still plenty of sap in the stems so not going to rush it. Proper grass that got a decent bit of N on it.

 

[TripleSix]

Quick tickle with the haybob this arvo.
Was cut Friday afternoon.

 

[Selectamatic]

Steeper fields today, so 4WD on the front!

 

[brigadoon]

In that case, I suggest you bale at least 100 acres in small bales. That should be enough to get such foolish notions out of your head.

If that does not work do another 100 with a diamond sledge

 

[brigadoon]

Am I to deduce that none of you men are deploying a scythe?

... [sigh]

Aye - but the missus drives it

 

[onthehoof]

Trying to keep up!
Will be on 3 day hay this week looking at forecast