OT - Timothy Dust and Mold

Bill VA · Aug 12, 2017

Does Timothy dry down easier/faster and dust up less than other grass hays, i.e. fescue or orchard grass? Small square bales.

I ask because since we changed over to Timothy (knock on wood), we haven't had any white mold dusting issues - even with some bales on the edge of a field and in a low spot where the moisture was higher. We do condition our hay with a mower that has (Hesston) steel on rubber rollers and stacked this hay on edge, cut side up.

Had a guy pick up some Timothy yesterday that he bought in advance and I was nervous. Some of that straight Timothy was out of the above described areas. I would throw the bales down hard, zero dust. Cut open one of the bales, nothing - no dust or mold; I couldn't believe it. Beautiful bales of Timothy hay.

Not the experience I've had with other grass hay we've grown, which was OG, fescue and whatever other grasses that grew that the broadleaf herbicide killed.

Timothy - is it less likely to dust-up and mold vs other grasses?

Maybe we've been lucky....

(ps - this post is on multiple forums as I'm looking for a broad audience for this question)

Keith Molden · Aug 12, 2017

If your other hay gets moldy, it's because it is still damp when you bale it. How are you testing it to see if it's ready to bale? Just because it has been x number of days since it was mowed doesn't mean it's ready to bale. we ted our hay as we mow it because we're using drum mowers and then we ted it again after it's cured a little. Then I check it several places in the field to see if it is dry enough to bale. I reach down under a bunch of hay and get a handful, then twist it as tight as I can. If no moisture or green spots of hay showing, we rake it. Then look at the windrows as we rake it, there should be a little dust from the dry hay when raked and certainly should be some coming up from the baler when baling. Note==This is not Alfalfa we are baling but is Orchard Grass, Clover and Timothy. This is just my opinion and you can do as you wish. Keith

Geo-TH,In · Aug 12, 2017

Bill,
White grass mold is common in Indiana. I had wet grass stuck to my boots. In about 5 days the grass was covered in white mold.

Google white mold on grass. There is a lot of info about it.

I'm allergic to it.
geo
white mold lawn care.

Traditional Farmer · Aug 12, 2017

Growing up we always considered Timothy a poor hay with not much feed value so maybe that's one reason it doesn't mold as easily as Alfalfa that is very high in feed value.

Bret4207 · Aug 12, 2017

The main reason Timothy was always "THE" horse hay was specifically because it isn't prone to dust like other hays given equal treatment. Yeah, bale it wet and it'll mold and be dusty, but good, dry Timothy will not show the dust other hays will. I've read that in ag books and manuals from the 1800's to the 1970's. Holds true in my experience.

Northvale - PA · Aug 12, 2017

So l have a field of late orchard grass and early Timothy. I baled on June 10. But I like to cut my orchard grass alfalfa mix 2-3 weeks sooner. the straight grass is easier to dry, plus it tends to be warmer days plus longer days. Rarely a problem. Earlier alfalfa mix is a challenge. Ted it 3 times.

OT - Timothy Dust and Mold

Bill VA

Well-known Member

Keith Molden

Well-known Member

Geo-TH,In

Well-known Member

Traditional Farmer

Well-known Member

Bret4207

Well-known Member

Northvale - PA

Member

Similar threads