First cutting has heavy stems that don't dry down that easy against wet ground. I want to see day time highs in the 80's before I start cutting hay in late May or early June. I don't want to wait too long because it'll screw up second and third cutting timing. I want the moisture to drop to below 10% in the windrow during the day and rehydrate with humidity in the overnight hours. First cutting can usually be baled between 11:00pm and 3:00am
Second cutting in July and Third in late August are probably the most challenging. It's not uncommon for us to have highs upper 90's and drop below 20 percent humidity during the day. The windrows dry to 0% and the stems are fine. When this happens you need everything the night will give you in terms of cool temps and humidity. We can cool off at night into the 50's and get up to 70% humidity in the early morning hours. I will get out at 3:30 am to start baling on second and third. If we get any wind like 8mph or more you are going to be baling dry hay. I want 18% in the bale and will push to 20% and let it drop to 12%. There are always compromises.
I use a weather station to monitor humidity and temp over night. When the hay is 0% in the windrow, you need a good 4-6 hours above 50% at night with no wind and low temps to get the moisture right. I can bale at sun up, but about an hour after the sun comes up the air starts to stir and the wind works against you.
I can access this weather station from my iPhone and keep track of time and wind speed.
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