Got a website for your ranch or farm?

Hello,

Got a website for your ranch or farm? We would like to share links with you.. It helps your website ranking. We will post  a link to your web site on our links pages. All we ask is that you post a link to our sites on your web site some place.

 

Its a good way to increase our business. Just email me you web site address.

 

Also if your interested we are looking of affiliates. Those a re site that put a link to our store. if someone buys electric fence, cattle waterers or livestock scales from us, you get a small commission for doing nothing... email me for details. valleyfarmsupply@aol.com

 

thanks

JC

Got a website for your ranch or farm?

15' Batwing hourly rates

I'm in the process of rebidding all my contracts for field mowing 2016. I don't have a lot of fellow farmers who also bush hog to compare rates with. There's no "field mowing" forum, so this was the one I picked to ask the question:

 

What do you charge per hour to run a 15' batwing over fields?

I'm not talking heavy brush here where you go slow-just fields resembling overgrown hayfields. 

I currently shoot for $85/HR under 25-30 acres. Higher acreage would be a lower hourly rate(quantity discount), but honestly, I usually dont do more than 30 acres at once anyway. If its heavy brush & saplings, I charge by the job. 

 

15' Batwing hourly rates

Couple more sheep pics

The dog is a Komondor, the coyotes left us alone after he came on the scene.

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Couple more sheep pics

$16.99 a bale

Just stopped at TSC for cat food and walked by the horse stuff.$16.99 for a compressed bale shrink wrapped.I picked one up with 1 hand easily and guess it about 50 lbs.I looked for a scale but the dang thing was in the plastic pkg.

 

$679.60 per ton

 

There is a small hay auction 2 blocks from there every week and you could buy all you want for $3-4 per bale 

$16.99 a bale

Hay Barn

Well Folks here's a head scratcher.....I purchased a former race horse property with a 60x60 Barn. I put the acreage in alfalfa / orchard (Tired of grain prices beating the **** out of me!) The barn had hay storage which I had to remove 20 year old hay (really !) It was wet so no choice. The other part of the barn were the stalls which we tore out. Now that trampled hay is dry. I have always put down tarp and then pallets for putting up hay. But the hay layer is about 8" and dry...Should I just level the hay and put the pallets on it ???? I'm in the mid-atlantic , humidity is REAL ! Grandpa always said a dry hay layer was the best prevention of mold , But Grandpa never saw 20 year old hay !!!!

Hay Barn

Dreamin'

Spent a lot of time in this part of the country....really beautiful.

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/1nwOgot

Dreamin'

I've got leaves bad

I have two of my alfalfa field heavly covered with leaves. Went out today and started blowing 4 hours later with a stilh back pack blower I had mad a small dent. I said screw this. Got the lawn mower out and got about three acres done in a couple hours. My question is my mower slightly cuts the top of the green shoots on the plants. If i raise the deck it leaves a lot of leaves behind. Will cutting the tip 1/4 of the green shoots hurt my alfalfa. Wanted to ask before I continue mowing/blowing my fields. And yes my customers did complain about having leaves in my first cutting hay last year.

I've got leaves bad

Baleage.

Ok guys' it's time to make a decision. Is it worth it? Before I spend the money on a wrapper just want to make sure. Will be for my own use around 4 to 500 bales a year, ryegrass, orchardgrass, fescue and Bermuda. Can't help but think this is better than dry hay but I need to know from you that are doing it. Also is a tedder necessary, if not I will sell the tedder to buy the wrapper. It's just we never have the 3 or 4 days to cure the cool season grasses when they are in their prime. The only thing worse than no hay is over mature or moldy hay.

Baleage.

Redmond Minerals on alfalfa

Has anyone used Redmond Mineral on alfalfa?  I ran across some info and there are some good reviews.  Here is some info below.

http://ift.tt/20yPiPe

 

Reports on Adding Redmond Minerals to the Soil

The same benefits on the field are much the same as in livestock. Many think “why would I use Redmond Salt on my field?” What is interesting is how much goes on with the use of chemical fertilizers. Lots of potassium chloride is used. Many Midwestern and eastern farms that have not used chemical fertilizers for a few years find that their soils need more sodium and chloride. But the magic is in the trace minerals. When the salts and traces are together in nature’s balance, good things happen, and the same synergy that makes a healthy gut and digestion works in the soil too. The other thing is that it doesn’t take much of the salt to get the benefit. When anywhere from 20 to 200 lbs. per acre is used in dry applications, it’s just enough to enhance energy and microbial activity and not even close to enough to be overwhelming. Foliar applications are only 3 or 4 lbs. per acre because of direct application to the plants. But spoon feeding plants this way requires repeated applications.

The clay colloids of Redmond Conditioner are very useful as well. As mentioned earlier, the nutrient exchange capacity, or cation exchange capacity is huge. Clay colloids hold water and minerals in the soil and offer exchange when needed by microbes and plants. Here are some of the reports we have seen so far:

·       Microbial activity increases dramatically
·       Brix levels increase dramatically
·       Disease and pest challenges decrease
·       Livestock preference to grazing treated crops increases
·       Livestock performance increases
·       Even yield increases are reported

(1)   Fertility From the Ocean Deep by Charles Walters.
(2)   Sea Energy Agriculture by Dr. Maynard Murry.
(3)   Salt & Trace Minerals for Livestock, Poultry and Other Animals by Larry L. Berger, Ph.D.

 

 

Redmond Minerals on alfalfa

Bale Accumalators

Im looking at buying a bale accumalator and there are so many differnt brands out there. Wanted to see which one would work best for my application. I do around 10,000 to 15,000 bales of straw a year. Got a massey ferguson 1838 baler and a massey ferguson 2680hd tractor. Thanks for the advice

Bale Accumalators

Case 1835C Skidloader

I'm looking at picking up a Case 1835C skidloader.  Just under 2000 hours and looks REALLY clean.  It looks well maintained.

It has a 3 cylinder Teledyne gas motor.  44 HP with 1200lb lift.

Does anyone have anything bad to say about these motors?

http://ift.tt/1PZ1Bx0

 

He is asking $7495.  and probably close to 4 hours away.

There is another one a little closer but doesn't look as well maintained and doesn't have hours listed - asking $6,200

Case 1835C Skidloader

Food Fight

from Growing Tennessee....by Donn Cooper.

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/1Qx7YKC

Food Fight

Brand new RTV-X1140

My unit had the same wiggle wiggle wiggle that some of the other X series RTV owners have experienced. My dealer took this very seriously and fixed it. Very happy to have The price of mind of the repair. The repair consisted of new impregnated bronze bushings and larger bolts in the hub flange. with some real skill and determination by an excellent mechanic, it is done! Just wanted to share that it is possible to have this issue corrected.

Brand new RTV-X1140

ITP Blackwater Evolution 27" tire upgrade

After the 4th time I walked out of the timber to get the tractor to pull the RTV I decided I'd had enough of the factory tires......

So I bought a set of Blackwater Evolution tires. Last Fall I added an 1" lift kit to my RTV. With that I thought I could handle 27" tires.

The Blackwater tires are only available in 9" width or 11" width. I freaked out about clearance on the front. So I ordered two 9" and two 11". What I should have done was order two 11" and mount them on the front to check for clearance. If they rubbed I could then order two 9"...... But I didn't....

With 9" on the front and 11" on the back I have no rub issues whatsoever. I swapped the 11" tires to the front and took a timber lap. No rub issues.

Anyway,,,,, what an improvement. On even terrain, as in, no lifting a tire off the ground it will climb more in 2wd, open rear, than it would previously in 4wd, open rear. It will climb more in 2wd, locked rear than it would previously in 4wd, locked rear.

The additional 1" of clearance is readily noticeable!!! So now with the 1" lift and 2" tire size upgrade I have 2" of undercarriage clearance gain. Don't sound like much. But when you are this low to the ground it's like a 25% gain in clearance!!!! Makes me happy!!!! :)

Here's a pic of my stock tire sitting beside an ITP 27" 589.
And a pic of the 27" Blackwater sitting beside the same ITP 27" 589.

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ITP Blackwater Evolution 27" tire upgrade

OPEC Forecasting.

Interesting....but baseless in reality.

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/1lVR4KS

OPEC Forecasting.

New Small Asset Tax Expensing

For tax year 2016....From DTN

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/1PkLxcE

New Small Asset Tax Expensing

Locust Plague

Argentina....

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/1lVR5ON

Locust Plague

Cabela's out of tractor business

Hi guys. I just thought I would give you a semi TYM update. I just received a letter from Cabela's stating they were getting out of the tractor business.
Dear valued customer,

Cabela's has made the decision to no longer offer the wildlife and land management WLM line of tractors and implements, which will be phased out of Cabela's product offering in 2016.

Cabela's power sports locations will continue to sell WLM tractors and attachments until current inventory is depleted. This inventory will go quickly and I encourage you to visit your nearest Cabelas store where our outfitters can provide you with sincere and exceptional customer service to ensure you have the attachments you need before inventory is depleted.

Additionally we will continue to provide or facilitate services to all our customers tractors and implements in any Cabela's power sports center location.

Cabela's WLM tractors are designed and manufactured by tong Yang Molson TYM tractor company. The network of TYM dealerships has a national reach, making TYM tractors accessible to you, even after they are no longer available at Cabelas. You can find your nearest TYN dealerships at the below link.

Cabela's by Woods attachments are manufactured by Woods equipment with a substantial dealer network which will be able to support service and sales needs of your equipment in the future. The below link will assist you in finding your nearest dealer.

Thank you for your understanding of this decision. We look forward to continuing to serve your hunting fishing camping and shooting needs with the legendary customer service and products Cabela's is known for.

Questions can be directed to the Cabela's customer service department at 1-800-237-4444.

Sincerely,

Thomas Millner
Chief Executive officer
Cabela's

Just thought you'd like to see that

Cabela's out of tractor business

Snow plow recommendations

I have a RTV900 and am thinking about getting a snow plow for it. I live in eastern Kentucky where we don't get too much snow but enough to warrant a plow. My dealer has recommended a Black Line and was wondering what the thought is out here.

Snow plow recommendations

SnowMax plow breaking down when plowing snow

10 hours of plowing snow in NJ, not Maine or Alaska, over a period of one year and 1 month, and steel parts are twisting and bending, making the plow inoperable. UTV Hitchworks advised that this plow is intended for light to medium snow, and that I must be "absurdly abusing it". Their claim is that no one else has ever had this complaint.
$3195.00 one year and 2 months later, warranty (1 year) is up. I have to find a solution.

SnowMax plow breaking down when plowing snow

Low Lig

http://ift.tt/205zMxD

Low Lig

Oregon Standoff Ends In Death

All arrested and one killed.

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/1nmLK3Z

Oregon Standoff Ends In Death

Manual square bale bundler???

This coming fall I plan to buy a bale bandit, but this coming season it's the bale thrower and people stacking in the barn.

I want to cut out the bale loading back on trailers for delivery by hand. This got me to thinking what if I built a box where I and my workers stacked the bales in the box then banded then. This would eliminated having to throw the bales up to the top of the stack one at a time by hand, and also since I could stack them with a loader, and when it comes time to load them for delivery I can load them with the tractor. What's your thoughts?

Manual square bale bundler???

Front mounted windrow turner?

My usual protocol for my alfalfa is to rake it in the morning right as the dew has dried and then come back around 3 and barely catch the windrow with my back the rake wheels and turn it over. Yes I do shatter a few leaves since it's not in case, but I'm ok with that the better results are worth it to me. Then I bale that night when the dew comes back on. With my Vermeer rake it works but if I don't watch real close I end up running over the edge of the windrow with my rake tires.
Does anyone still make the front mounted two or three wheel turners? If so how good do they work?

Front mounted windrow turner?

Fescue companion grass.

Which would be best to plant with fescue? Ryegrass or orchardgrass. I'm not going to till it up and replant. The drought thinned it out. I'm a little afraid of orchard because on not having the weather when it's time to hay, but do think i'll have a good window with late rye. For reference I'm 30 mi south of the OK, KS border.

Fescue companion grass.

Brakes

I have researched these threads and have found no definitive answers, so here goes.

Has anyone experienced your brake pedal going to the floorboard on the first stroke? Then on the next stroke you have brakes. Like I said I have searched and I see a couple of mentions but no one seems to have come up with the reason for this.

I have bled the brake lines, it is not air in the lines. The parking brakes are fine if you pull the handle, so it must be either the Front brakes or the Master cylinder,RIGHT?????

I am open to suggestions,Help.

Butch

Brakes

Puddle of hyd oil rtvx1100

Large puddle of hyd oil under the rtv. It is losing it from the reservoir under the seat.
It is under warranty so I let the dealer pick it up this morning. Will let you know how that goes. Sure do miss the buggie already!! Gets used daily.Attachment 9967

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Puddle of hyd oil rtvx1100

Post your machines Hours here

I thought a thread like this might come in handy and informative as years go by. I plan to post my hour as a way of keeping up on how many I'm running a year. I hope you will join me.


06 RTV: Bought Dec 2012 with 636 hours: January 2016: 800.5 hours.
02 Grand L Kubota 3010 bought new. January 2016 460 hours
05 Scag Wildcat ZTR bought new. January 2016 716 hours.

Of all the items I am most surprised by the total hours on the RTV. I have used that puppy so much but have not even put 200 hours on it. I mowed with the tractor and then the ZTR and that had a lot to do with getting their hours up. But I use the RTV just about daily to go from point A to point B, to haul stuff etc etc but we've only put 164 hours on it. I"m amazed at the hours Collie and others have on theirs. Sure makes me appreciate the work they do with theirs.

Post your machines Hours here

451 new Holland pto shaft

I have a 451 sickle mower that is missing the button on the end of the pto shaft that connects to the tractor. I bought a button at tractor supply but how do you install these? Would it be easier just to replace the yoke? Thanks

451 new Holland pto shaft

Hesston 4550 small square baler pickup hydraulic pickup

Has anyone ever used the retro fit hydraulic pickup kit that Hesston offers? I'm wearing myself out getting up and down off the tractor and using the ratchet tool to lift the pickup up to travel a short distance over the various obstacles (drain ditches and just plain bad field entries) to get to the next field and then reset the pickup header height. i bought this baler specifically to do small quick jobs but the pickup header height setting is getting me down. Any kind of comments on pickup header maintenance is welcome and thank you ahead of time for sharing your experience.  bjr

Hesston 4550 small square baler pickup hydraulic pickup

HFT-high frequency trading and beef market

More finger pointing.......

 

 

http://ift.tt/1SgM00j

 

 

HFT-high frequency trading and beef market

Drive disconnect 750 JD drill

Does anyone know if you can still get the attatchment if the drill didnt come with it? My dealer said he didn't think you could. Would any other company make something like it or would I have to get from an old drill somewhere?

Drive disconnect 750 JD drill

What is your most valued gadget?

What gadget do you feel has added the most money back in your pocket with your hay operation? I will get this started. My acid applicator is my favorite gadget lol. It's a simple manual crop care applicator. Doesn't even have cab controls, but would never want to bale alfalfa without it!!

What is your most valued gadget?

Going Back To Grass

Kind of hate to see this article as we don't need the influx of forage producers, but it is what it is....and there are some good tips in this read from Progressive Forage Grower.

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/1S7nzUU

Going Back To Grass

Weed/Brush Control....Past, Present, and Future

Progressive Forage Grower.

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/1POjPBg

Weed/Brush Control....Past, Present, and Future

John Deere 410 vs John Deere 530 balers

I'm selling my square balers and going to buy a round baler. Im looking at a John Deere 410 and 530 balers. What are your opinions on these balers?
I only do 30 acres of grass hay a year, on flat land. I only have a 55 hp tractor. Is that enough hp for the 530?
Thanks for everyone's input

John Deere 410 vs John Deere 530 balers

Plowing snow techniques

I had lots of snow to plow over the weekend. I've come to the conclusion I don't know how to plow snow properly. I use my tractor and back blade. I turn the blade and pull it backward through the snow, angled off to one side so it pushes the snow out of the way. My blade still fills up, and the tractor won't go anymore. I will raise the blade a bit and pull to the side. This messes up the yard and generally makes things look very messy.

I see others who plow with similar equipment but their snow driveways look pristine. Nothing on the side. A pile or two at the end and that's it. What am I doing wrong?

Plowing snow techniques

What ever happened to the instant round baler??

I remember seeing a guy in GA that was inventing a round baler that had 500 degree rollers in it that instantly dried and baled the hay. What happend to it?

What ever happened to the instant round baler??

Retriever trucks

Looking into buying a retriever as alot of feilds are many miles away. Anyone have any input using one? Everything work pretty smooth or is it more of a pain than its worth? Any comments are appriciated as ive never seen one work

Retriever trucks

New holland 660

Hey guys looking at purchasing a used new holland 660 baler and looking for things to look at and some reviews ? Thanks

New holland 660

JD 347 baler repair

My John Deere 347 baler is getting to the point of needing repairs.  I have always kept it very well maintained and have had it for many years.  It still makes nice bales but I want to make sure it continues to do so.  I think it will at least need plunger bearings, plunger wear guide rails and some new springs but I'm sure what else.

 

I can do the work myself.  Can anybody make a suggestion on where to start (I have a service manual) and what I should look out for, what I should definitely do and what you have heard?  Thanks!

JD 347 baler repair

Rear u joint and axle shaft help

Need help with replacing rear u joints in my 2006 RTV 900 I just picked. I have read a lot about this on the forum and even watched a few you tube videos. Anybody have the a step by step procedure for removing and replacing the u joints. It appears that the u joints tore up the shaft ends when they snapped. Probably looking at replacing the entire axle shaft now. Any ideas on a good aftermarket drive? The other side looks like the units have play in them and I will only need the u joints for them. What u joints will work for the other side besides the kubota replacements?

Rear u joint and axle shaft help

Replacement Heifer Market

AgWeb...

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/1nHl2Ue

Replacement Heifer Market

Another doom and gloom story

http://ift.tt/23lxR7k

Another doom and gloom story

new member with an rtv 500 question

Hi everyone! Please don't give me too much heat for not using the search function before posting.....anyway I'm looking at a rtv 500. My question is why is a hard cab offered for the 400 but not the 500? If this has already been discussed a link to that thread would be awesome.
Thanks

new member with an rtv 500 question

wheel tire

Hi, I just bought an older Mahindra 3510 with a Bradco backhoe.

It has 1130 hours and came from a trade in where the dealer loaded the rear tires, changed all fluids, replaced the clutch assembly and put in a new battery.

I just drove it and the r4 tires do not do the job of the r1s on my Ford 1920.

I read on another forum about a guy that put 4110 ag tires/rims on with great success.

Does anyone know the best place to purchase tires/rims in the 4110 size?

Thanks.

wheel tire

BATWING MOWER QUESTION

I got a good deal on a Terrain King TK15 bat wing mower, and want to use it around hayfields. Is there going to be unforeseen issues if I remove the driveline from one side and leave it raised? The reason I would want to do that, is so I can keep the brush mowed back under the limbs farther than I can drive a tractor. I don't really want the other wing mowing into the hay field or corn fields or whatever.
I would rather have found a single wing mower, but for this one s in good operating condition for 400. I couldn't pass this up even if I just resell it.
73, Mark

BATWING MOWER QUESTION

Hay dryer

I currently put a hay preservative on any hay above 15%
and up to 25% moisture . I find that sometimes the hay does heat a little and it leaves a bit of a smell on it. I was thinking of building a hay dryer. Steele grates with a large fan at one end . I would pile the hay on the grates with telehandler and grapple.,, turn on the fan for a few days. I was still going to use acid, but I was hoping this would give better results?

Hay dryer

Small tractor upgrades

Thought I'd start a thread on what small upgrades, say $250 or less, you have done on your tractors in addition to typical scheduled maintenance. I added a set of Kubota factory work lights to the grab handles. They sell them in a kit. Comes with factory switch in cab. Took me 1/2 hr to add them. $89.95.

In the first picture, the other very small upgrade I added was a clevis on my drawbar to keep chains from dragging. Been putting that off for like 3 years.

What other "economy" upgrades have you done that are handy? You all never cease to amaze me with some of the things you do (Luke's baby pool roof, etc)

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Small tractor upgrades

Screens now Red theme

Something changed? I've run blue screen style here since the beginning, now today it's red and I didn't change anything in my profile. Profile shows 'default' profile then two red alternatives, blue not available. I didn't log out overnight.

Has blue profile become unavailable?

Screens now Red theme

SNOW (Money from Heaven)

Finally got some good snow. Good plowable snow. We had a storm come through last Wednesday left about 6 inches of snow here so I got to do some good work and make six months worth of payments on the new RTV Workhorse.

Attached Images

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SNOW (Money from Heaven)

Bringing The Sheep Back Home

U.S. sheep growers.....from Growing TN.

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/1OBVkcI

Bringing The Sheep Back Home

Perkins Diesel engine

Well, I bought a new piece of crap and it needs an engine......Perkins 1004-4. Non turbo. Commonly used in skids, and all kinds of heavy equipment. About 85 hp and made in '97. I have to original engine (cracked block) and it was a runner, but I would just as soon find a drop-in......any of you fellas ever deal with salvage yards in your area that might have one? So far no luck finding one, been a searching less than 24 hrs tho.....figured y'all might know someone, purty much relegated to shipping it......thanks

Perkins Diesel engine

V rake

I have an older 8 wheel Heston v rake. It does a decent job on the rough ground and odd shaped fields but at times it balls/ bunches the hay into piles. I mostly do grass hay but have about 8 acres of alfalfa that I cut a few times.it will bunch all types of hay. I spoke to a guy at local feed store about it and he said that he offsets one side from the other. I did. It works to some degree. Rake has a kicker on it. Roll the hay with a 605 F Vermeer.
If this does work as perhaps in theory, should one side be offset as opposed to the other side?

V rake

A Little Different

Great horned owl on nest live.....these raptors are the kings/queens of rodent elimination. If you have them, they are a blessing.

Compliments of my son.

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/1CDGgno

A Little Different

Going to look at 8575

Im going to take a look at a Case 8575 baler tomorrow.  I don't have any experience with big square balers...

 

This one has a little more than 30K bales on it - Has had 10,000 dollars stuck into it in the past few years - I don't have all the specifics yet, but seems like a lot of smaller items. 

 

What are the big things to check out on these machines? 

 

I'm not afraid of wrenching on one myself, and wouldn't expect not to have to with a baler like this.  I know its a totally different animal, but I completely tore down my 8545 small baler - not knowing the first thing about it, and fixed or replaced everything on it.  But if there is anything I can catch on the big before I write out the check that would be nice...

 

Is it humanly possible to get in there are move the plunger around with a pry bar or anything to check the bearings?

 

any places these have needed welding that I can look for cracks ?

 

thanks for any advice.

Going to look at 8575

Kubota V4291 Plow

I have run into a problem with my Kubota RTV 1100 and the Kubota V4291 Plow. What happens is that when you try to move the plow either up or down or angle the blades they travel the full direction without stopping when you release the button. If the engine is off and the the key is on and the blade is full up you can let it down by pushing to down button and when you release the button it stops. Can someone help.

Kubota V4291 Plow

Ooops! Sorry neighbor.

If this article is true (and it has to be because I got it off the Internet), Monsanto is going to be in B-I-G trouble.

 

http://ift.tt/1QgywiZ

 

Ralph

 

Ooops! Sorry neighbor.

Preservative Question

Thinking about making a preservative applicator for my square baler. It would be manual on/off.

In as much as it's manual vs auto - naturally the application would be on the worse case side - understood.

However, other than cost, what is the down side to - to much preservative? I'd be using buffered propionic acid.

In addition to the preservative applicator, I would install a moisture meter in the bale chamber. From those readings while baling and in the tractor seat, I'd bring on/off the preservative as required.

Question is - does the "moisture" of the preservative squew the readings? Thinking about using an Agtronix BHT-2 meter.

It would be nice if the meter had a set if dry contacts you could use to enable the pump on the applicator on/off and then I'd have a fairly low cost automated system.

Lastly - "buffered" propionic acid. Pretty much everything I have read indicated rust isn't an issue. What's you're real world experience?

The goal is NOT to use the acid - but to have it ready to go if necessary. I think I can successfully explain propionic acid treated hay to a horse customer, but IMHO the door to a sale is closed with dusty hay and me and the goat customers and their skinny wallets are good friends - LOL!

Thanks!
Bill

Preservative Question

Tractor diesel gel'd up.

So I goofed up, got lazy and didn't add anti-gel to my tractor's diesel fuel this winter.  Been so nice and warm, I pushed my luck.  Now one of my tractors is sitting behind the barn with a bale of hay on the loader and won't run/start. 

 

My guess is that the fuel has gelled up since it got down to about 3 the other night and only up to 17 yesterday.

 

Tractor initially started easily and ran about 3-4 minutes and then started surging, then died.  Restarted, ran about a minute, died again. Then wouldn't start.

 

Anybody have any suggestions?

 

Thanks

 

Ralph

Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa.

Tractor diesel gel'd up.

Looking for a handout.

Neighborhood creatures looking for another RTV delivered meal.

Attached Images

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Looking for a handout.

Shaver HD-10

I want reviews on the Shaver HD-10. There's a guy that has them at a steal of a price, just a few hundred dollars more than used ones. I want to outfit it on my CaseIH Farmall 65A since its very fuel efficient and the largest open station I have. It says the pounder needs 12 gpm, but my tractor has 10.4 gpm pump flow and 18.7 gpm total flow. It's an open center fixed displacement gear pump.

All I can figure out is it just takes longer for the ram to raise. The rest is gravity right? Never have owned a hydraulic post driver and can't figure out why the HD-8 only requires 3-4 gpm.

Shaver HD-10

Bale Bandit questions

I am looking at the purchase of a used bale Bandit.  If someone has first hand experience running one, I have a couple 

of questions.  Have you experienced much spoilage with the inside bales because they are packed so tight?  I live in Iowa with some less than ideal hay making conditions sometimes.  I use hay guard and it works well but my bales are not packed 

as tight as the bale bandit would pack them.  Second, if you pick the bundles up with a pallet fork does it cut or damage the bands?  Can you stack them on top of each other and then unstack them easily, without damaging the bands?  It looks like a great idea, just wondering how well it works before I make the big investment.  Thanks

Bale Bandit questions

National Farm Machinery Show

It's that time of year...

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/14VCgnO

National Farm Machinery Show

NH 1037 bale wagon load rack fingers.

I'm going to look at a used 1037 this weekend, but noticed in the pictures that the unit does not have the 3 fingers or tines mounted on the rear of the load rack.  Does anyone operate their wagons with these removed and if so have there been any problems?  My 1033 has them and the only time they every have hay against them is when the wagon is full, but I've always felt a little safer having them there in case the rolling rack decides to break.

 

Also, now that I have a poll barn to stack in I was also thinking about making some pallets for the wagon.  I'm thinking that not having the extra fingers there would make it a lot easier to use the pallets since I wouldn't have to worry about the pallets hitting them when the load rack slide back.

 

Thanks in advance for your replies, Josh

NH 1037 bale wagon load rack fingers.

Bale feeder questions

Hello fellow cattlemen. Or is it "cow men"??

Anyway, I have some cows and some steer feeding on my hay. They are chomping on it pretty well, but I have no basis to know how well. They seem to walk over to the feeder about 4-6 times per day and chow down. However, when they're done, they walk away and seem to nose around at the ground looking for other forage. The ground is frozen and there's very little to forage. They also hang over the fence, eating dead weeds, even branches outside the fence.
Is this normal or cause for concern.
Also as you'll see in the picture, I'm concerned the feeder is too high for the immature cattle. They struggle to reach the hay. It was sold to me as a cattle hay feeder.
Also, when I dump a RB in, it must be dumped at an angle or it will sit up too high in feeder. My bales are dense. It looks like they're really working hard to tear off hay. Sometimes I have to go over and "shake up" the bale so it's easier to chomp on.
Is this normal, or a cause for concern with these issues?

Attached Thumbnails

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Bale feeder questions

Mystery

Cimarron National Grassland, KS....

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/1Nkh3Sj

Mystery

Forage machinery for Controlled Traffic Farming system

Hi, 

 

I'm working with a company that has not yet purchased its machinery for forage production (bales and pellets) so we're starting with a clean sheet for developing a Controlled Traffic Farming system. As far as possible, we want to get all (or most of) the wheels - particularly the heavier machinery, like forage trailers - running along the same width wheel tracks and minimise soil compaction. To quote someone else: "“Plants grow better in soft soil while wheels work better on roads”

 

The challenge is that ag machinery comes in a range of wheel track widths and working widths. Can anyone here point us in the right direction with regards to: 

 

1. Which width of wheel tracks is easiest to implement? 

 

2. Which working width is easiest to implement? 

 

I guess that primary tillage operations (like ripping and ploughing) won't "fit" the system. So perhaps we can ignore those? 

I'm interested in machinery for larger farms and guess the working width will fall somewhere between 10 - 20 metres (say 33 - 66 feet), but please correct me if I'm wrong. 

 

Hope the above makes sense. 

 

Thanks.

J.F.

Forage machinery for Controlled Traffic Farming system

Sm sq baler - applying bed liner to the inside bale chamber ??

I have bought a slightly used NH 575, and was wondering if anyone has applied a slick protective coating to the bake chamber like the pickup bed liner coating that is sprayed on. Trying to protect it as the paint is readily worn off and allows rust. Think the slick nature of the liner would help kinda like bake skis

Sm sq baler - applying bed liner to the inside bale chamber ??

Educate me on older drills.

Looking to find a seed drill, and I am looking for something older (read; cheaper). In the past I have used an old Deere drop spreader, ands three point broadcast spreader. Looking to seed mainly oats, and brome with an oat nurse crop. Going to be doing between 20-80 acres a year for the time being. What should I look for? Grass boxes? Hoe vs. disc? Type of closing wheels? I will be looking in the $1000-$3500 price range. Here is one I found near my in laws, would it work decently? Looks like a hoe drill with small seed and fertilizer boxes? http://ift.tt/1lsnSe3

Educate me on older drills.

2016 Alfalfa Outlook

From Progressive Forage Grower...

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/1nvUDZF

2016 Alfalfa Outlook

Help! - un-cut Coastal Field - next steps

Hi everyone - new here. first post.

Just bought a 'new to me' place, and it has a wonderful 20ac coastal field that I want to 'get going' again.

This is in North Texas, and the field had been maintained & baled by a neighbor for the last 10 years (fertilized, weeded, & productively baled).

 

Problem is the coastal never got cut/baled in 2015 (& with all the wonderful rain we had it grew thick & lush). The neighbor chose 'retire' right about the time I was buying the place (mid-year), and I couldn't get anybody else out there (limited resources/time/money).

 

So what are my options now? - with the thick/tall/now dormant  (dry/brown) coastal standing? It's about 3 feet tall, and very thick bottom 6"?

I have a tractor & a shredder, but currently no hay-cutter or baler. (I plan on getting the latter two, but can't till I sell my previous house).

Funds are very limited (paying 2 mortgages till I sell previous place).

Can I just shred it all now - and it will be fine in the spring, or will that create too much mulch for the underlying dormant/healthy coastal?

Control-Burn it? or will that destroy the underlying coastal ?

 

Ideas? I know ya'll first say ' have someone come bale it and take it away' - and I've been trying to do that for the last 6 months, but with all the rain we had in 2015 in Texas, everybody wants $1500+ to come do that cause hay is so plentiful that nobody will bale on the halves or bale for the hay.

I'm just super-broke paying 2 mortgages and can't come up with the $1500 now.

 

Help? Ideas? (If this is in the wrong category - sorry?)

Help! - un-cut Coastal Field - next steps

pre- selling contracts

I was curious if anyone had ever pre-sold contracts for fall delivery of beef, pork or poultry. How did it work out for you that may have attempted this in the past or currently market in this manner? I had never considered this in the past but the local business model is changing due to the growth of CSAs in the area.

pre- selling contracts

Block and tranny heaters

Anyone use heaters to pre-warm engine oil and tranny fluids in the wintertime? I know you do Zoom. How effective are they?

Keifer, aka Keith

Block and tranny heaters

Raking and Baling Oat Hay Pictures

Oat hay 2015.  Nice hot weather when I did this.  Roughly 20 acres, yielded 90 some 5x6 bales.  16 wheel Rowse rake is overkill but works better on this crop than my brother's Vermeer R2300.  Used to use a Vermeer WRX 12 which did well also.  Baler is a BR7090.  It just laughs at this stuff.    

 

Raking and Baling Oat Hay Pictures

Vicon RP1200 my first baler

Drug this Vicon RP1200 98 miles to get home today. I hope it'll be a good one. The seller ran it for 4 years and replaced a few bearings. It needs a few belts replaced but he gave me new ones to go with it. Anyone have any experience with one? I can't find a lot on the web about them.

 

Vicon RP1200 my first baler

Need heavier baler- New Holland or Vermeer?

I,m looking to replace my New Holland 790 net-wrap baler with a new Vermeer.  The New Holland could bale at speed upwards of 10 mph with bales remaining uniform.  I find the NH baler too light- the Vermeer looks to be a heavier baler.  Just wondering how others' experiences with the Vermeer have been.  Thanks.

Need heavier baler- New Holland or Vermeer?

Square Baler Bearings and Gathering Wheel

Hello everyone,
This is my first post on the forum, however I'm a pretty regular follower.
My question is probably easy for some of you more experienced haymakers out there.
I bought a NH 311 last year and ran approx 15000 bales through it with almost no issues.
As I was preparing it for the upcoming season I got to wondering how often the plunger bearings should be replaced, is their a specific number of bales or just wait till they go out (I'd really rather not do that). Since I know little about the balers history I have no idea how many bales have been run through it.

I also have built a gathering wheel for the 311 I figured I'd share with y'all and see if there was any constructive criticism you could give me, sometimes the windrows are just a little wide for the pickup and I need all the help I can get. So I built this and am in the process of painting it.

Thanks in advance for the help and happy hay making to you all!

Attached Thumbnails

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• 

Square Baler Bearings and Gathering Wheel

Square Baler Bearings and Gathering Wheel

Hello everyone,
This is my first post on the forum, however I'm a pretty regular follower.
My question is probably easy for some of you more experienced haymakers out there.
I bought a NH 311 last year and ran approx 15000 bales through it with almost no issues.
As I was preparing it for the upcoming season I got to wondering how often the plunger bearings should be replaced, is their a specific number of bales or just wait till they go out (I'd really rather not do that). Since I know little about the balers history I have no idea how many bales have been run through it.

I also have built a gathering wheel for the 311 I figured I'd share with y'all and see if there was any constructive criticism you could give me, sometimes the windrows are just a little wide for the pickup and I need all the help I can get. So I built this and am in the process of painting it.

Thanks in advance for the help and happy hay making to you all!

Square Baler Bearings and Gathering Wheel

Dormant Alfalfa

From Progressive Forage Grower....

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/1OBVMpb

Dormant Alfalfa

Front diff?? Open or limited?

I have RTV 900 2008 and i wonder is front diff open or friction lock??

Many thanks!

Front diff?? Open or limited?

2016 New Product Rollout

Progressive Forage Grower...

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/1nfTrtq

2016 New Product Rollout

ford 1700 oil in the water

I have a ford 1700 1000 hours. runs great but just noticed there is oil in my radiator. looking for help on diagnosing the problem.
Thanks

ford 1700 oil in the water

Boom has busted??

Probably....

 

http://ift.tt/1PzTfLP

 

Ralph

Boom has busted??

Kubota RTVX Rear LED Worklight

I purchased the Rear LED Worklight for my RTV-X900. It is Kubota part number VC5051. It comes with the LED, bracket mount, correct length wiring, and lighted switch.

I do not have the enclosed rear panel for the cab, I just have the standard open mesh screen and the plastic roof. Any suggestions on where to mount the light?

Thanks!

Kubota RTVX Rear LED Worklight

CS2410 Backhoe - 3PT Hitch or SB2410

HI there, looking for anyone with comments on the backhoe options for the CS2410. I can get a SB2410 installed for about $10,000 Canadian or I can by a Value Leader BHM5 for about $5,300 CAD. Different specs and all on each of them but I am only looking to use it on my parcel of land for some minor digging as I landscape the area.

My concern is with the 3PT Hitch version and stability and stress on the tractor. As per the SPECs it looks like the KIOTI should be able to lift the BHM5.

Any guidance and experiences with either is highly appreciated.

Thx

CS2410 Backhoe - 3PT Hitch or SB2410

Roller Pump Storage.

I pulled the pump off the sprayer and brought it into the shop for storage, what's best to pour inside it to keep it in good shape while in storage to prevent corrosion and seizing up?

Roller Pump Storage.

Which Disc Mower To Buy

I'm looking to buy a new disc mower. Because of my size tractor ( kubota L4330) and the acerage I'm cutting, as well as finances, I'm looking at 3 small mowers. Morra, Galfre, Bellon. They're all within a couple hundred $. All 4 disc, all hyd. Do you guys have any experiences with these 3, or which is best? I can't justify paying the big bucks for some of the well known brands. Thanks !

Which Disc Mower To Buy

2015 rtv x1140

anyone have any leads on an online parts manual and a wsm for this one yet? picked my new ride up before christmas but there doesn't seem to be much info out yet.

2015 rtv x1140

Raking

Hey everyone. Looking to buy a new rake as we feel we're wasting too much time raking. we're in NJ and have a limited timeframe. We're currently raking with a set of NH 256 rakes with a double hitch. We're growing about 185 acres in total with about 75 acres of alfalfa and the rest in grass. I'd really like to have a double rotary but I'm having a hard time convincing myself it's worth spending $30ish k to rake hay so my focus has shifted to a wheel rake. Does anyone have any input on this and would like to hear everyone's opinions on this.

Raking

Need some Straw Advice

Needing some Straw advice. I baled my first bit of straw last year. 10k squares through a MF 1835. Since I have decided to change my process and constructed a stationary processor to convert rounds to squares. My questions are #1. Buying a new roller that is compatible to roll silage and straw. 469 John Deere or 604 Vermeer? 2. What are the problems that I'm going to have getting a roll started baling behind a JD STS rotary combine?

Need some Straw Advice

"Grass Fed" Label To Be Dropped

AgWeb....

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/1nbVdMc

"Grass Fed" Label To Be Dropped

running gear capacity question

have some hay flat racks that are not used much anymore . was thinking to build new decks for hauling round bales and making them perhaps 24 feet long. the issue is that the capacity of the running gears is unknown . is there a way to estimate capacity based on spindle size, steel component size or maybe something else . any insight helpful

running gear capacity question

Twinstar vs Vermeer hydraulic basket rakes

I'm getting ready to buy a new rake this year and I am looking at either a Vermeer r2800 or a Twinstar 2027. Any thoughts to which is the better rake? Would love to hear any reviews or opinions on either one. Both rakes operate on the same basic concept but are designed quite a bit different in how the baskets are carried on the frame. The ground I farm is quite hilly with a lot of uneven terrain......which rake will operate best in these conditions?

Hayden

Twinstar vs Vermeer hydraulic basket rakes

cattleguard building questions

If I build a cattleguard, what questions should I consider?

 

And if you've built one, please give advice on:

size

material

spacing

 

And thanks. I appreciate it.

cattleguard building questions

Understanding Hay Markets

Helpful tid bit

http://ift.tt/1Ph6l0c

Understanding Hay Markets

More Call For Beef Crash Investigation

Agweb...

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/1ZC7ASE

More Call For Beef Crash Investigation

Indiana Fowl Influenza

Saw this tonight and immediately thought of haybaler 101 and his shout from today....

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/1Ph6l05

Indiana Fowl Influenza

Bale Wagon Question??

I am looking at a 1037 with the slotted or open newer load rack.  The serial  number is 3549.  How old would that wagon be? I see on tractor house that the price on those models seem to be about $15000 and up.  Are those prices a fair example.   Thanks

Bale Wagon Question??

CPX1140 Trans Problems

Have just joined this net,hoping to get an answer to a problem we have.

We have a RTV CPX1140. if you go down a hill holding the vehicle on the engine when you hit the flat and want to speed up the engine picks up but the trans takes a few seconds to engage,its as if it slips.
This has only happend since the second oil/filter change. We use Shell Donax TD,recomended by local Kubota dealer as they dont stock Kubota oil.

Any help here would be much appreciated.

Regards

Richard

CPX1140 Trans Problems

Hesston 4655 Baler at auction could someone in Delta CO look at it for me?

Hey all back looking at equipment again. Need to get it before spring. I got my tractor a 68 JD 3020 DSL, I got a disc mower NH 617 for a good price at auction. We even got an accumulator and will get a grapple later.

 

I lost an auction for a NH 575 baler last night and am looking at some others. There is a Hesston 4655 baler coming up for auction and wanted some feedback on them. It is a 1992 unit with new tires. First are they good balers? Will my tractor handle it? Do they need a bunch of work? What is a good price on one at auction?

 

And the other major part is that it is pretty far away from me. I was hoping I could find someone near it that is familiar with them to go look at it on the preview dates to see if it is even worth bidding on. I wouldn't even mind paying something for somebody to go look at it for me. It is near Delta, CO.

Hesston 4655 Baler at auction could someone in Delta CO look at it for me?

Test before feeding corn stalk bales

http://ift.tt/1RTDC6x

Test before feeding corn stalk bales

Messicks 2015 Christmas Light Show

Stumbled on these on youtube.

Awesome job Messicks!!!

Brings a new level to seeing your RTV in the lights. :)

You Tube

You Tube

You Tube

Messicks 2015 Christmas Light Show

Wheat Straw outlook 2016

Here in eastern NC we've had alot of wet weather this late fall and winter. A bunch of boys arent planting as much wheat between this and the price. We have sold out of straw and some other guys I know are near the end too. Hows things around everyone else's way as far as the straw is going to be?

Wheat Straw outlook 2016

x900 rtv

Has anyone seen the cast bracket alum.break off the pump due to the exhaust pipe broken? Just got one in the shop broke the bracket and took a chunk of alum. leaving hole in the top of the case..

x900 rtv

Kubota RTV Recall Notice - steering shaft, RTV500

Kubota RTV Recall Notice - steering shaft, RTV500.

Is this old news? I don't have a RTV so I haven't been following this forum.

I saw on another forum that RTV500 owners are starting to receive recall notices, come in for a steering shaft swap. Nobody linked a source so that's all I know.

Anybody know more? Am I repeating something already posted?

Kubota RTV Recall Notice - steering shaft, RTV500

Farm Neighbors from the City

This was posted on  Facebook with a message from a friend of mine saying it reminded her of me and my neighbors.  .

 

 

I had to respond with my personal experience at my last place:  LMAO. Judi and I laughed until we had tears in our eyes. Reminds me of a former neighbor who had moved to the country from the planned community. I was splitting oak for firewood and the whole area smelled like oak. I asked him "don't you love the smell of oak?"-his response, would it matter if I didn't? I said know but it would be better if he learned to like it as it was going to be a regular odor around. Not sure he liked the physical appearance of all the old rusty farm equipment I had parked in my yard of the deer that hung from the loader bucket in November. Ah, the joys of the country!

 

 

I would add at the bottom, A Farm is Not a Planned Unit Development.. If you want swimming pools, clubhouses or tennis courts and a cop driving by every 30 minutes, go back where you had them!..

Farm Neighbors from the City

Seed prices

Got prices on Roundup Ready alfalfa seed, from 3 dealers,@ $290 to $380 and this price included the tech fee.  

Seed prices

Attracting new customers

I am looking for ideas on how to pick up new customers for my custom hay operation. Anyone have any advertising ideas?

Attracting new customers

rear axle shaft

Anyone here use or try the rhino brand replacement axle shafts yet?If so did you replace the whole shaft inside and out or just use the inner and if it lined up or was the same as the OEM splines???


Mark in snowey Michigan

rear axle shaft

big square bale downstacker?

Hello everyone,

 

Does anyone know of a manufacturer that makes a "downstacker" unit for big squares?  I am looking for something that can take a stack of 3 square bales, squeezes/holds up the top 2 bales, while allowing the bottom bale to index forward on a conveyor.  After that bale is gone, it would set the second bale down on the conveyor while holding up the top bale, etc. I thought I saw one of these a couple years ago but cannot find any information on it now.

big square bale downstacker?

Deutz Rotary Rake experts?

Looking at getting my first rotary rake, just a single rotor for now for the square baler. Anyone tell me anything about the Deutz rotary rakes? I'm sure parts are spendy, but this one looks in pretty good shape.

http://ift.tt/1OjeIuK

Deutz Rotary Rake experts?

Al Jazeera America Folds

Leaves the air in April....good riddance....watch that door on the way out. And take Al Jazeera Gore with you.

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/1Rm7IAU

Al Jazeera America Folds

Green pulling yellow, may take some getting used to again

My last 6 Round balers were/are JD 567's.  I decided to go back to yellow, time will tell....  Demo'd this one this fall.  

Green pulling yellow, may take some getting used to again

1431 discbine belt problems

working on nh 1431 disc bine, left hand drive belt goes loose and flops around on drive side of belt(tensioner side stays tight, right hand belt is good. Acts like the cutter bar is driving the belt instead of belt driving the cutter bar.

any thoughts?

Saw a similar post from 2008 with no reply's.

1431 discbine belt problems

Flash back

I found this in my files and then looked out side.Damn the image looks so close they could be twins.This was last december

Flash back

Looking for a 3x4 big baler

This year we are going to cut, and bale our own hay.  The custom guys around here are just getting to high with there prices, so I decided to buy some equipment.  I am now looking for a 3x4 baler.  Can anyone tell me what I should be looking for, and what is the best baler out there.  I am looking for used at this time.

 

Thanks in advance.  

 

Jay

Looking for a 3x4 big baler

Fall Panicum in hay

I havehts a 65 acre field of hay that is thinning out. I was going to rotate to corn but not sure I want to lose that much money next year. I am thinking about thickening it up with fescue or festuolium. Problem is  I have a problem in third and fourth cuttings with Fall Panicum. My fertilizer dealer can't find a weed control label for hay.  I am willing to go off label but also need to know about any restrictions for feed especially dairy .  I was leaning to spraying simazine in spring .  Any thougts

Fall Panicum in hay

Rtv 900 pump upgrade

I'm considering using oem hydraulics on my 05 rtv 900 to power a wood splitter and would like to upgrade, or replace, my hyd pump. 7-8 hom would be enough , I think. Does anyone know of a place that beefs up our little 5 gpm pump ? Thanks for any and all suggestions.should read 7-8 gpm, not hom!

Rtv 900 pump upgrade

Finally got to take the new RTV through some snow

I was very surprised that with no weight in the bed how well these machines do in the snow, I can tell the power loss but they keep chugging along, just waiting for my boss v-plow to come in! What's the snow like in your areas, I'm in Michigan

Attached Images

image.jpg (99.3 KB)

Finally got to take the new RTV through some snow

Yellowstone Tatonka

Bison herds.

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/1UNvC6y

 

Yellowstone Tatonka

My heart pumps blue!!

Santa brought me a new toy![ATTACH]Attachment 9913[/ATTACH]

Attached Images

IMG_0515.jpg (70.7 KB)

My heart pumps blue!!

My heart pumps blue!!!

[ATTACH]Attachment 9910[/ATTACH]

Attached Images

IMG_0515.jpg (70.7 KB)

My heart pumps blue!!!

2015 Alfalfa Fields Drowned

I have about 50 acres of alfalfa / grass mix at about a 70 /30 alfalfa to grass ratio, in three different fields on the same farm. All the fields are about 3 years old from planting.

 

I cut my first 20 acres on the first week of June and got it up dry.  Then it rained for 4 weeks straight.  One of the largest total amounts of rain in our Central Illinois Region in history for that period. We were water-logged like I've never seen it before.

 

The 20 acres of hay fields I had cut did not grow during this rainy period.  After the rain quit and fields dried, I cut the remaining 30 acres first cut around mid July.

 

My problem is the first cut 20 acre fields only produced a minimum of hay for a second cut (20% of customary yield) and no third cut and full of foxtail.  It looks like the alfalfa plants drowned if that's possible.  My field cut in July did fine for second cut, but because I ran so late their was no third or forth cuts.

 

I fertilized all 50 acres, but have this sick feeling that the weak alfalfa fields are not coming back in the spring. I just couldn't find much on the way of alfalfa plants in these week fields in the late fall..

 

Can the alfalfa plant regenerate after something like this.  What are my options.

 

 

2015 Alfalfa Fields Drowned

Beef Price Collapse Questioned

If it smells like a rat.....from DTN.

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/1Q3xpFo

Beef Price Collapse Questioned

Anaplasmosis

In beef....from DTN.

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/1ybYEkk

Anaplasmosis

Questions about Crop Cutter baler

I have a BR 7070 crop cutter, it was my first time to use one last year. I was given the advise of leaving the knives out until the core formed andwhen it got tot the last few inches of finishing, take them out again to get a solid wrap of hay before net wrapping and that is what I did. I talk to someone who said just leave then in the whole time. What is everyone else's advise on what is best?

Questions about Crop Cutter baler

Hesston 1120, 1130, NH 479,488,489

After much thought I think I'm in the market for an old haybine. With my narrow roads, tight gates and limited tractor weight, a side pull non piviot I think is the way to go. I have heard lots about nh 479, 488, 489 haybine and know that they are rock solid. I am partial to Hesston somewhat because of a close dealer and past experiences. My old 6600 self propelled was a good machine and I liked its head design. The only bad Hesston I ever owned was a pt 10 when I first started out. That POS would break every pass or two. So I am a little concerned about the newer 1120s or 1130. If anybody owns one of these, how well do the work, how often do they clog, and how many acres per hour can you cut? Or is it just better to buy the new Hollands
Thanks

Hesston 1120, 1130, NH 479,488,489

Forage Crop Pocket Guide

New Release - Forage Crop Pocket Guide

January 11, 2016 - Newly revised, this practical guide to forage production was developed by the authors of the widely popular book Southern Forages - Modern Concepts for Forage Crop Management.


The 56 page Pocket Guide is packed with useful facts and reference lists related to plant characteristics, fertilizer and nutrients, stand establishment, animal requirements, grazing, and forage quality, including hay and silage.

Please contact circulation@ipni.net to order, or visit store.ipni.net for more details about the Forage Crop Pocket Guide, Southern Forages, and other related publications.

Special orders are available upon request.

Learn More → 

http://ift.tt/1TPuNtO

Forage Crop Pocket Guide

Sensor Technology

It's here....but how much?

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/1Zn5Qg8

Sensor Technology

Great start to weaning calves

So the first night of weaning calves was an almost epic fail. Pulled up and saw a mixed herd in a pasture nobody was suppose to be in. Realized 2 cows went over the top of 5 strand barb wire. A mix of 8 calves, steers and heifers, broke their fence down. So I ran 2 really hot wires across the 5 barb strands from the gate to the boundary. Left all the calves in the pasture they broke into since it would just be easier. Since I 'finished' that extra work, I went elsewhere to do what I intended to do 2 1/2 hours before. Called the wife and asked her to check and make sure everything was fine as I didn't hear any vocalizing mad cows. She found 2 cows trying to figure out how to push the gate down. So I hurried up and grabbed the hot wire bucket and proceed to install an electric gate in front of a gate. Doesn't make sense right? Well I'm not taking the chance. I left the charger on because I was fearful somebody would push the envelope and I'd have another mess. Also the charger is over 200 yards away. The psychological effect is very critical at this point. The ground being really wet and I had on my muck boots on, needless to say I got zapped hard a few times. As always the first couple of zaps smart and the following 5 or 6 didn't feel much better. Finally fashioned the gate using 2 gate hangers outfitted with a loop. Everybody is in their proper spot, there better not be a repeat in the morning.

As for the fence jumpers, owned these cows coming on 3 and 4 years, never a problem. Perfect Model Cows. Lock in the head gate by themselves, go where I want them to, beautiful calves, no prior trouble at all. Got them sorted in open field leading them, yes leading, and put back where I wanted them. I will forgive them this time.

Dad in typical fashion,"Next time you wean your calves, put the cows north of the house. The cows mooed all night." To give you a picture, the cows were mostly congregated at the corner closest to his bedroom not even 30 yards. I normally would do it different but the weather being what it has, I had to make some modifications.

Great start to weaning calves

TC29D, Block Heater, Garage Door

A week or so ago I ad to park my TC29D outside. I grabbed a couple of cords so I could plug my block heater in. Plugged one end into the wall outlet in the garage and went out to the tractor and plugged the heater in. My garage door started going down. Quick thinking I ran into the garage or I would have locked myself out of the house. I looked around to see if anyone was playing any tricks on me. No one was home. I tried to duplicate the incident but no luck. I tried unplugging at the wall and back in with no luck to get the garage door to move. A few days later a storm was coming so I went out and plugged it in again and sure enough the garage door started going down.

I can only make it work if I have the door up, and plug the heater end in hot.

So today my wife was at Mendards and I told her to pick me up a new single heavier duty cord. The new cord is worse. Now no matter what end I plug in last or what position the door is it will either open or close the door and not right away but like three minutes later.

Has anyone else ran into this??


Oh and yes, Hi to all. Kind of missed you all as it has been a while since I have been here.:tiphat:

TC29D, Block Heater, Garage Door

Bitter Orchard Grass

I think I have a fairly easy question to pose. I did search the site and did not find it addressed, so...

 

Is there a wrong time to cut orchard grass that will result in the hay being bitter?

 

I was discussing (with a horse-hay customer) about what I was going to plant in one of my hayfields. He likes OG, but said that he had heard that OG could be bitter if harvested at the wrong time. Of course, people “hear” lots of things... Maybe someone got OG from a field which was full of noxious weeds or diseased (rust or something?)

 

I am planning on Lespedeza/OG/Ladino, and wanted to know if OG was “tricky”, less forgiving, and/or hard to cut/bale at the exact-right stage, any more-so than any other grass,to get the best hay possible.

 

Thanks

73, Mark

Bitter Orchard Grass

Nonchemical Weed Control in Alfalfa

The vegetable processor I grow for is requesting organic production and the prices they are offering look to be too good to pass up.  I have a couple of pivots of 1 year old alfalfa that I will likely transition to organic.  Has anyone had any success at cultivating winter annual broad leaf weeds out of established alfalfa?  1st cutting will be taken early for dairy hay so it doesn't need to be 100% weed free but the less weeds the better.

Nonchemical Weed Control in Alfalfa

what do you think of this mower?

Stumbled across this and thought it was impressive:

 

http://ift.tt/1mNJrrh

 

Also: I make a lot of extra income mowing right of ways, ditch banks, vacant lots, conservation easements, etc

Wondered if we should add a forum for those of us who use our tractors & mowers for this type of commercial mowing? 

what do you think of this mower?

Prowl question

Prowl H2O is a Pre-emergent for stickers. Apperantly the best on the market. I need to spray the feild in February but I also wanted to burn the feild off. Just trying to figure out if I need to spray before or after I burn the feild.

Prowl question

Growing Alfalfa??

Hello!! I'm new to Hay talk and have a question? Would it be possible to grow alfalfa in North Louisiana? I'm about 60 miles south of Sheveport. Our humidity is pretty tough and usually droughts around August. Any comments would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks in advance.

Growing Alfalfa??

Hesston 4550 baler good deal?

Hey everyone, I've been looking for an inline baler for awhile and found a Hesston 4550 for $6500.  That seems expensive to me but I cant seem to find many good used ones around.  I don't bale up a massive amount of hay but my 13 year old son started running the tractor/baler (borrowed baler) last year and wants to get into making more hay.  We are on hills and have irregular fields so I like the idea of an inline (easier for him).  I've also read that the 4550 is really slow as far as capacity.  Not sure that matters much now as he goes pretty slow but in a few years I'd like to move pretty quick as his 2 younger brothers get bigger too.  Any comments would be helpful.  Thanks.

Hesston 4550 baler good deal?

Claas round baler

Has anybody out there had any experience with a Claas 360 or 380 variant round baler. What's your opinion on it?

Claas round baler

Dump spreader

Just don't think it would work on hilly ground.

Dump spreader

Kubota plow lift need help in a bind

I have the curtis plow with the linear actuator for the lift and mine just took a dump on me.Anyone here know where a replacement can be had or have one you arnt using you would be willing to part with????
Im in dire straights without my plow in the winter.


Mark

Kubota plow lift need help in a bind

Great Sheep Show Photo

I wanted to attach this sheep photo from the Pennsylvania Farm Show.

Its one of our customers who shows at many events. Its from the PA Farm show Calendar this year.

 

Note, he is wearing one of the Gallagher caps we give away with orders over $500. 

 

 

JC

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Great Sheep Show Photo

BC5070 Bale Density

I recently picked up a new BC5070 Hayliner.  Hay season is still a ways out but I have a question on how much the doors on the bale case extension are used to help with bale density.  Most of my customers want 55-60 lb bales.  At that weight, do I just set the hydraulic tension and leave the bale case doors out or do they need to be adjusted in.  If adjusted in, approximately how much?  Thanks.

 

IFF

BC5070 Bale Density

Extended Warranty

Received a post card in the mail today that the warranty on our Kubota RTV
X1100C was going to expire next month and to call my dealer for a cost to extend it. Called this morning and its $800 for a 1 year extension and $1350 for 2 years. I'm not one to generally purchase extended warranties - but wonder how many of these they sell at that price.

Extended Warranty

Thoughts on a Case/IH 8830 SP Windrower

Ok guys I know I've been picking everyones brains about discbines and mowers for awhile now.  I need to get something but of coarse budget as always plus I would not need a bigger tractor.  Theres a Case/IH 8830 that's only about 20 minutes from me.  The guy actually has 2 of these for sale, one has 1700hrs and the other has 2700hrs both units have A/C and our Diesel with 12ft heads.  What would be some common things to check for with these units.  They are selling both cause they are upgrading to a SP Discbine. 

Thoughts on a Case/IH 8830 SP Windrower

Storage charge.

I have several customers who speak for hay early in the fall but generally don't want to take full delivery until later in the season. I generally don't take payment until delivery of the commodity. My father thinks I should charge them for storing the Hay. I tend to disagree with him. It's not like it's in the way and is always out before the new crop comes in. Does anyone follow such a practice and if so what price do you fix to it. F

Storage charge.

Hauling a small square baler long distances

Most of the small square balers that I've been finding that are right for me, are close to 400 +/-  miles away. Being that they're 9' wide on average, would I need a wide load permit for interstate travel? I tried looking it up in the WA state DOT website, but got overwhelmed, and never found a good answer on simple dimension requirements for wide load. I really don't think they need wide load permits, but just want to be safe, and check before hand. 

 

Advice would be great!

 

Regards,

 

Chris 

Hauling a small square baler long distances

My year here...

Just went over the milestone of one year on Hay Talk. I have enjoyed reading lots of neat stuff over the year. Some of what I have learned:

Used tractors are great as long as they are cheap, bigger tractors are even better.

You guys have very pretty farms, my Christmas cards don't even look that good.

Some of you crash your stuff..lucky for me my boys never have a camera handy.

Custom haying is fine as long as you income match the CEO of Ford Motors.

Horse people are a curse placed on Earth to bug us.

Hay tarps, pop-ups, small square bales, most tractor dealers go with horse people also...

Politics...well thats a real can of....

Secret Santa is cool, I've used my new stuff.

I have a real good idea of what the weather is in southern NH every day!!

My year here...

Trans-Pacific Partnership

A good deal for beef producers....sort of.....from Growing TN.

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/1mHzQSL

Trans-Pacific Partnership

The Lawyer Who Became DuPont's Worst Nightmare.

 From The New York Times Magazine

 

A compelling read about a chemical that is coursing through your veins as you read this......courtesy of DuPont.  Carcajou (Ray) brought this to my attention and if you find this lengthy read to your "liking" please give your like to carcajou and not me.

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/1SznHew

The Lawyer Who Became DuPont's Worst Nightmare.

Loaders

Looking to buy new loader for my tractor.

Do any of you use, and or like, the self leveling feature for grapple work with small square bails?

Loaders

Cicer Milkvetch

Our research has shown that this legume will grow at our location. It is bloat safe for grazing and we are going to drill it in our new bermuda pasture for nitrogen fixing. We will drill 24" rows at 10 pounds per acre. This "experiment" will only be 30 acres, we shall see how and if it goes this summer! 

Any "expert" opinions??

Cicer Milkvetch

Feds Supoena Chipotle

More hot water for the self righteous restaurant chain amid falling performances.

 

Regards, Mike

 

http://ift.tt/22MABdF

Feds Supoena Chipotle

Cheaper belt for RTV1140

My belt was looking like it was going to fall apart so I picked up one from my dealer. After taking it out of the Kubota package and doing a Google search....looks like my $33 dollar repackaged belt can be bought for $5 or so. Here is the number is anyone needs it.

Attached Images

image.jpg (45.6 KB)

Cheaper belt for RTV1140

MF135 PTO

my 1st post...there seems to be 3 different position on the pto lever but only 1 activates the pto? MF135 1972

MF135 PTO

Any New Zealand members?

Hey all,

Looking for any Kiwi members on haytalk.  My wife and I are going to NZ end of January/beginning a Febuary and didn't know if there were any members on here that were on the North Island?  We'll be around New Plymouth in Taranaki.  Wasn't sure if you guys were anywhere closeby to check out your setups, or knew of anyone closeby to visit?  

 

We'll be checking out some sheep stations and dairies, but also just checking out some more options.

 

Cheers!

Any New Zealand members?

in the market would like some advice

I am looking to buy equipment to roll 4 x 5 bails I will have to buy a cutter rake tedder and bailer the only dealer I have close to me is JD and they are great to work with they sale JD and Kuhn I have been looking at a 458 or a 459 roller and have found I can buy a new one for less than I can a used one around here I would also like to have a cutter close to 10 ft I am running a 4230 JD tractor so HP should not be a problem and a wheel rake and 17 ft tedder any one have any advice I priced all new yesterday Kuhn 800 cutter Kuhn 17 ft tedder and Kuhn 10 wheel rake with JD 459 bailer at 49600$ would prefer not to spend that if I do not have to we will be cutting about 120 acre of hay and I am sure we will pick up a little contract hay around here. thanks for your input. jewett

in the market would like some advice

Bale Caddy Back?

The Bale Caddy, invented by a S.D. hay farmer, was initially a product to be produced and sold by Koyker.  This went as far as the local NH dealership group to advertise it as being something they would carry (KanEquip in Kansas).  I contacted Koyker back then (maybe 2 years ago) and inquired if they would have one at the 3i show, 4 State farmshow, Topeka farm show, etc.  No they said.  I asked for an owner in Kansas so I could look at one.  They had none.  

 

This product was discussed briefly on this forum several years ago and faded.  Last week, I was getting parts at the Hutchinson NH dealer and they were unloading two of them.  The store contact said a machinery jockey had ordered them.  He also said he thought a company known as Anderson Manuf (?) in S.D. was producing them and they had two dealers for this machine in Kansas, Baldwin City (Heritage?) and Liberal.

 

There were some features of this machine that would allow it to work behind our current higher production small sq. balers.  The Hoelscher and Farmhand accumulators are getting old now and were meant for the smaller stroke/min machines of 20 years ago.  There is an accelerator wheel seen on early YouTube videos that worked to sling bales coming out of the chute onto the table so that faster production would not result in another bale blocking the push over arm.  Looked like it was well designed back then.

 

Question:  Does anyone know if this is the right story and do they have any knowledge of this machine in actual operation?  These units came with a bale grab for what appeared to be 12 bales, hooks on the side...with the accumulator the sales guy said $15,500.  Sure would like your input if you have any information about the Bale Caddy.  Thanks

Bale Caddy Back?

Market strengthening here

Prices slowly creeping up, but still deals to be had. Bought some 4x5 wrapped silage bales for $30/piece. 108 RFV. Cheap protein as we hit the coldest of the year.

http://ift.tt/22KCN5j

Market strengthening here

Hand bundling square bales?

I thought I read on here about somebody trying to hand bundle using jubilee style nylon strapping..? I have decided to use my hay aster 8 bale accumulator and grapple to set the hay so I can hand bundle in 12 packs....3 high..4 across and cross stacked...I plan on making three ties to cinch the 12 pack bundle..I completed one test bundle in my barn and I think it will work out fine...anybody here tried something similar? Thanks in advance..Greg. I appreciate any thoughts criticisms and or tips...

Hand bundling square bales?

Haybob opinions

I've got a few small, odd shaped fields that trailed equipment is a little cumbersome in. I've found a pz 360 that operates like it should for $1200 delivered to me (it's about 3 hrs away). What do y'all think?

Haybob opinions

1140 Bed/Seat Conversion??

Anyone have a 1140??

I'd like to see pics of the bed/seat conversion along with any dialogue that might be applicable??

Thanks!!!

1140 Bed/Seat Conversion??

Rotary tenders,

I am looking at getting a rotary redder for next season. Two questions should I get a 2 or a 4 basket and what make. Vermeer, H&S, MF, Kuhn, and new Holland are local dealers. Not real impartial, I do see a lot of Vermeer in the area. As far as a 2 or 4 basket I us a 936 JD moco to cut and according to the specs Idk if a 4 basket will cover 2 swaths. I don't intend on covering huge acres. I only run about 150 acres of hay and we generally chop more than we bale. I would rent my neighbors but we almost always end up haying at the same time. I welcome all thoughts or inputs.

Rotary tenders,

NH 450 Round Baler Pickup Auger

Just wondering if anyone has a picture of how the new, New Holland round balers drive the top cross auger right above the pickup tines. I currently have a Br740 round baler with the same auger, it is driven with an orbital hydraulic motor. If I am correct the new balers chain drive this auger, I am looking to do the same if possible. Attached are a couple pictures of the auger I am talking about.

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NH 450 Round Baler Pickup Auger