“The moisture content of a bale shouldn’t be higher than 18 to 22 percent for small rectangular bales, 14 to 18 percent for large round bales or 14 to 16 percent for large rectangular bales,” he warns.
How do you know when hay is dry enough to bale?
Breaking stems in half or twisting them in a circular motion to see if the stems break cleanly will give farmers the go-ahead to bale. “If all the stems break and crack that’s an indication that the hay is cured and then you can rely on the moisture test that you’re getting from the probe,” Yaremcio said.
How wet is too wet to bale?
To prevent excessive heating, large round bales should contain no more than 18 percent moisture at baling and small square bales should not exceed 20 percent moisture.
Can you wrap hay at 30% moisture?
Wrapping bales may serve as a substitute for storage and can be done at moisture levels as low as 15-30%. Any kind of forage able to be baled can be wrapped.
Does hay moisture increase after baling?
Yes it’s normal for baled hay moisture % to rise in the 1st few days after baling.
How long should hay dry before baling?
As a rule of thumb, wait to rake hay until after the dew has dried and the sun nears its peak, around 11 a.m. If possible, let the raked hay sit for an hour or two before baling to allow more drying time.
Can hay get too dry to bale?
While hay with exceptionally low moisture might not be at risk of growing mold and bacteria, that’s because much of that hay’s nutritional value is already gone. When hay is too dry before baling, the leaves of the forage become stiff and brittle, making them much more likely to fall off.
How many days should hay dry before baling?
It basically takes about three days of good weather to cure hay. This can be a challenge in late May or early June. A good strategy is to mow just before or right after a rain, because of the likelihood of good weather for the next few days.
Can you bale hay with dew on it?
To make good hay, enough moisture must be present to keep all the leaves intact. Too dry, and they shatter and fall off during the baling process. “This will make better hay – baling it with a bit of moisture on it, either from dew or from a very light rain shower,” says Thomas.
Is it OK to feed horses wet hay?
Hay put up with 12% or less moisture isn’t going to go through much fermentation, if any, and is safe to feed right after harvest. Hay that does ferment will lose some nutritional value and could become moldy and dusty.
Can hay be too dry to bale?
Can you Ted hay with dew on it?
If drying conditions are lousy and rain is coming or hay is heavy may ted a second time. This is for any type, grass or legume or mix, if lots of legume use slow rpm and do it with dew on. Often times you only have a few hour window to do it right.
What does moisture do you Bale at?
45% – 55% moisture is generally recommended for best results. 55%-65% moisture – Great for fermentation and exclusion of oxygen. But you run the risk of leaving a wet rank layer (1-2 inch deep) on the outside of the bale. 35%-45% moisture – Fermentation occurs, but it requires more layers of wrap. Bales can be fed up to a year later.
What is hay baling system?
A hay bale is a farm implement used to compress a cut and raked crops such as hay and silage into compact bales that are easy to handle, transport, and store. Many small farmers are finding that these hay baling machines are the best choice for getting their hay in the barn.
How is hay baler made?
Bill of Materials and Tools Required. The baler was built with one 4×8′ sheet of exterior grade treated 1/2″ plywood,5 treated 8′ 2×4’s,some leftover cedar 1×4
What is a hay baler used for?
A baler, most often called a hay baler is a piece of farm machinery used to compress a cut and raked crop (such as hay, cotton, flax straw, salt marsh hay, or silage) into compact bales that are easy to handle, transport, and store.
