Reality Check - Cut to Bale....

So we've got a mower conditioner this year.  Just doing some sample cutting for fine tuning the thing, the crimping is most visible on the stem - a dramatic departure from mowing without rollers.  I can see now how the conditioning rolls are going to be a great asset in making dry hay.

 

Next week - it looks like clear skies, low humidity.  Baler will be armed with an inline moisture meter for live readouts, hay preservative tank will be installed and calibrated (if needed).

 

I know the drill for non-conditioned hay.  Conditioned hay - looking for some of your typical cut to bale time in days where once the hay is baled you just KNOW dusting just isn't going to happen.  I need to give everyone who is helping a bit of a heads-up of when we can kind-of/sort-of start baling for scheduling.  Weather - of course could scuttle everything inspite of the rosy forecast....

 

Give me a reality check - with a mower conditioner, how many days from cut to bale are you waiting?  2, 3, 5 - etc.

 

We are in the mountains of VA, so generally higher humidity, heavier dews overnight and thunderstorms.  Next week, I think we are going to have pretty good weather conditions to cut and bale, especially with predicted low humidity and not much threat of thunder storms.

 

Mower conditioner, tedder, rollabar type rake and square bales - this is what we have.

 

It would be great to take-off some terriffic hay from our refurbished fields this year.  We've put in a lot of work to get to this point.  We're close, want to finish the race with some great hay!

 

Any tips are much appreciated.

 

Thanks again!

Bill

Reality Check - Cut to Bale....