Author Topic: Hay making advice (Read 2798 times)

sokel · « **on:** July 19, 2013, 10:14:13 am »

Never made hay before but our farming neighbour has just cut 3 acres and his bailer has broken down.
He has phoned to say if we want the hay we can have it , its been cut for 3 days and I am in the process of turning it by hand

How long should I leave it once turned ? and once turned and dried on the top will that be it ready or will it need turning again ??
I am hot bothered and have blisters on my blisters

Hassle · « **Reply #1 on:** July 19, 2013, 10:36:01 am »

You are looking for about 15% to 25% moisture. I'd say three days of fine weather is good to bail and should still be green but dry throughout

sokel · « **Reply #2 on:** July 19, 2013, 11:58:35 am »

Thanks, Just finished turning it. Its 32deg here today and no wind so it was a bit hot out there

Hassle · « **Reply #3 on:** July 19, 2013, 12:39:54 pm »

You've done we'll, don't forget drink lots and sometimes a shandy is just right

SallyintNorth · « **Reply #4 on:** July 19, 2013, 06:34:19 pm »

The main thing is that once it's really dry you don't want it getting wet. We had a sharp shower here last night - I heard it, and the cement was wet this morning - and our friends uphill had a downpour just as they started baling their first hay for 7 years.

When the top's dried, go pick up a pile of it and see what you think. If there's no green left, it's dry. If there's green, twist it hard - does it break? If so, bale it / get it in. If you can squeeze moisture out, it could do with a bit more drying - can you shake it out a bit? (But don't be silly in this heat.)