Hay along tree line

Keith Molden · Jul 6, 2021

Just wondering what you guys do about hay along a shaded tree line that doesn't dry like that out in the field. It's too green to bale and I hate to travel the equipment to go back and bale 25 or 30 square bales They are guessing rain for Thursday and the rest will be good and dry tomorrow. I could go back and round bale what's left, leaving the rake over there. I hate to pay help to go back and get the few square bales. I have thought about just leaving it and not raking it so it will rot and go into the ground. It' been a p.i.t.a. every year.

Tim in New York · Jul 6, 2021

We always rolled the outside windrow over a couple of times after the first couple passes with the baler cleared space out in the sun. By the time the field was done, the outside windrow was sometimes dry enough to bale. And sometimes they stayed on the wagon for a while too, rather than buried in the mow. Sometimes got fed right off the wagon. Sometimes got salted down in the mow too.

Tim

old · Jul 6, 2021

Rake it out of the shade so it can get dry from the sun shine

James Howell · Jul 6, 2021

Agree.

rrlund · Jul 6, 2021

I round bale, but if I have hay like that, I take it home and feed it right away.

SVcummins · Jul 6, 2021

I have a neighbor that waters two windrows on both sides of my one field the whole length of the field I rake it out into the field where the water doesnt reach

Keith Molden · Jul 6, 2021

This hay is in a field that is bordered by trees and a strip mine high wall and is on the west side of the field so after noon the shade is there and I'd have to roll it out to mid field. I only have 2 hay burners to feed so it would spoil before they ate it all. I'll probably try to bale the center of the field first then rake and rake it till it's out in the sun for most of the afternoon. Thanks guys for your suggestions.

Traditional Farmer · Jul 6, 2021

When I'm cutting hay I'll try to cut around a new piece with one windrow the last thing during the day after I have cut other hay.That way I can start cutting earlier the next day and the outside windrow has about a day's more curing time.

Bill VA · Jul 6, 2021

Keith,

We have a simple hay preservative applicator (buffered propionic acid) that we spray when baling in those shaded areas. Keeps the dust and mold from forming.

Good luck,
Bill

Ellis Kinney · Jul 6, 2021

What I do. I have several small 5 or 6 acre fields with exactly the same problem. I do maybe 2 or 3 fields on one day. I rake the shaded areas first in all the fields. Then I rake the rest of the fields. I come back to the shaded windrow and flip it going both directions to expose the damp stuff. Ellis

JK-NY · Jul 6, 2021

I have a large field with the same situation you describe. Some years I will leave the first 3-4-5 windrows near the woods till the next day and try to rake them out a ways and get them dry enough to bale . This is often done while I am working on the center of the field. Some years the weather wont cooperate and I leave it right there. As you mention it can be a lot of extra time spent for not much hay.

Hay hay hay · Jul 6, 2021

No easy answer. I have about decided just to cut a swath all around that part of the field with a batwing and stay out in the sunshine for baling hay areas. It can be a real nightmare clogging a round baler with wet hay on the shady edges.

caterpillar guy · Jul 7, 2021

Loosen the tension on your baler doing them last then feed or I've given them to a neighbor to feed rather than leave and or spoil.

Hay along tree line

Keith Molden

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Tim in New York

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old

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James Howell

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rrlund

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SVcummins

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Keith Molden

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Traditional Farmer

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Bill VA

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Ellis Kinney

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JK-NY

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Hay hay hay

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caterpillar guy

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