Alfalfa Raking

[GordoSD]

For those of you who use a sickle mower and a rake, vs haybine. How long do you wait after mowing to rake. What do you look for in the hay before raking?
I have been raking right after mowing and then two days later, SLOWLY turning the windrow over.I feel this minimizes leaf loss. Then Bale day 4. Depends on temps and wind but the old twist a handful test is used before baling.

Gordo

 

[Allan in NE]

I wait for the wilt, which will come in one or two days depending on tempreature/humidity.

Then only handle the hay when the dew is down/hay is tough to insure against loss.

Allan

 

[GordoSD]

OK, The windrow in this photo. The ground under it has never been raked right? Will you go back with one rake and just turn it real esay?
Nice hay. Ain't no H gonna bale that!

Gordo

 

[Allan in NE]

No,

If I had my "druthers", I wouldn't rake at all.

However, sometimes the hay needs to be turned to aid the dry; other years, I need to pull two windrows together to keep the baler full.

Just depends on the year and I only use the rake as a last resort. I will "turn" it if it gets rained on tho.

Otherwise, the hay just lays there until it's dry. The fewer times it's handled, the better.

Also, in this dry climate, you almost never see a baler running past 10am; just too much leaf loss.

If ya do, the feller just plain doesn't know how to put up hay. :>)

Allan

 

[Ken 46]

My brother and I used to run a custom haying operation. 99% alfalfa. The only time we raked was to help it dry after a rain.
Allen's right - don't rake unless you have to.
Here in western Kansas in August we would start baling about 10:00PM and go till the dew came up. If the dew didn't come up we would run til sun up.
Was a LOT younger then.
What I used to do all nite-now takes all nite to do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[sammyd]

We rake once in the morning before we bale to get the underside dry and to get our windrows made up.
Never heard of raking right after cutting.