Baling in KY

[Anonymous-0]

To KYhayman and Georgeky. Got a little rain and cool weather this week. Hoping for some fast growth in my Timothy and grass hay. Need to bale but want to get as much growth as I can before I cut it.

Realistically, What is the normal "last date" to be able to bale grass hay in good, very dry squares here in central KY? Thanks

 

[kmcampbeky]

ALl depends on the weather, you can probably go until late sept or early oct. It might have to lay on the ground a while longer or be raked or tedded once...

 

[georgeky]

I have baled as late as mid November. Just depends if you get weather that late to cure it in. Usually wet with dew and the shorter cooler days don't cure it very quick. I know a guy that bales on all major holidays. Thankgiving. Have seen him rolling hay on Christmas day. I like to be finished by mid October, so I can strip tobacco.

 

[Anonymous-0]

I agree with the others

I usually wait until after the first frost and get my last cutting in. The hay usually stops growing after a the first couple frosts.

I do this to get the most I can get out of my field at the end of the year. Being that second and last cuttings are the best for horses, I try to make the most of it.

Like the others said, the only real issue is the shorter cooler days and drying the hay. Sometimes the only way is tedding or rolling with a rake and giving it an extra day or so.

I'm in Upstate NY and the biggest issue I have right now is all this rain. I like to see a 3 to 4 good days in the forcast before I start cutting. Lately it's been rain every other day.

 

[kyhayman]

I start cutting fall hay in a normal year Sept 20. Usually run alfalfa first. I finish up grass hay October 20-25.