Second cutting underway

[Steve in VA]

A bit of rain yesterday but 83°, breezy, and clear so now is the time. Next rain forecast Thursday. On tinterhooks waiting to see how this goes. Even being so dry, 36 round would beat our best season. Mine is orchard grass and all the surrounding fields are fescue and they look pretty thin, but then the hay always comes off better than I expect.

 

[Steve in VA]

A bit of rain yesterday but 83°, breezy, and clear so now is the time. Next rain forecast Thursday. On tinterhooks waiting to see how this goes. Even being so dry, 36 round would beat our best season. Mine is orchard grass and all the surrounding fields are fescue and they look pretty thin, but then the hay always comes off better than I expect.

On the ground and w/ 46% humidity, drying fast.

 

[THinAl.]

That’s a great picture. We’re trying to grow a small field of orchard grass, but I think we’re too far south to have much luck with it.

 

[farmersamm]

On the ground and w/ 46% humidity, drying fast.

What happened to that poor pup???

 

[Steve in VA]

What happened to that poor pup???

He's on the mend after being swatted by a bear weeks ago. No structural damage but the bruising was so severe it killed a lot of skin. Vets working to pull his hide back together. We're about 60% done.

 

[RJKeith]

A bit of rain yesterday but 83°, breezy, and clear so now is the time. Next rain forecast Thursday. On tinterhooks waiting to see how this goes. Even being so dry, 36 round would beat our best season. Mine is orchard grass and all the surrounding fields are fescue and they look pretty thin, but then the hay always comes off better than I expect.

It's been wet enough in Central Va that the second cutting will out yield the first cutting.

 

[Steve in VA]

It's been wet enough in Central Va that the second cutting will out yield the first cutting.

No chance of that here. Very dry in the Shenandoah.

 

[rrlund]

Most of my second cutting was non existent. I started first cutting too soon just because everybody else was cutting and the weather was perfect. I quit because it was so poor. I let the rest go for a few weeks and then it was pretty good. Where I took the first early, the second was average. Where I took the second later, second was VERY poor. There might be a few bales of third on one field, but nothing else recovered and it's getting so late in the season now, I'm probably done. If we get some rain and something comes on, the weather won't cooperate that late in the year to get it put up. I'm going to have to buy more hay this year than I have in my entire lifetime combined. Silage corn is about half the height it should be, so most of my grain corn will be chopped and put in the silo too. Worst year in a long, long time.

 

[Steve in VA]

Most of my second cutting was non existent. I started first cutting too soon just because everybody else was cutting and the weather was perfect. I quit because it was so poor. I let the rest go for a few weeks and then it was pretty good. Where I took the first early, the second was average. Where I took the second later, second was VERY poor. There might be a few bales of third on one field, but nothing else recovered and it's getting so late in the season now, I'm probably done. If we get some rain and something comes on, the weather won't cooperate that late in the year to get it put up. I'm going to have to buy more hay this year than I have in my entire lifetime combined. Silage corn is about half the height it should be, so most of my grain corn will be chopped and put in the silo too. Worst year in a long, long time.

Ive only made 3 cuts one year. While most looks good, there are areas where its so thin it looks like what the baler normally leaves.

 

[Jim Hanson]

Likewise here...no rain till Thursday, but ground is quite wet....keeping our fingers crossed

 

[flying belgian]

If it wouldn't be for me wanting the second cutting, I have a lot of fields I wouldn't even take first cutting.

 

[KCTractors]

That would a great view from my dining room patio door.

 

[showcrop]

A bit of rain yesterday but 83°, breezy, and clear so now is the time. Next rain forecast Thursday. On tinterhooks waiting to see how this goes. Even being so dry, 36 round would beat our best season. Mine is orchard grass and all the surrounding fields are fescue and they look pretty thin, but then the hay always comes off better than I expect.

I always like my orchard grass. It seemed to be always high output and no stem after first cutting.

 

[Steve in VA]

A bit of rain yesterday but 83°, breezy, and clear so now is the time. Next rain forecast Thursday. On tinterhooks waiting to see how this goes. Even being so dry, 36 round would beat our best season. Mine is orchard grass and all the surrounding fields are fescue and they look pretty thin, but then the hay always comes off better than I expect.

Cloudless skies, light breeze, and 46% humidity makes drying really good. Baling later today.

 

[Steve in VA]

A bit of rain yesterday but 83°, breezy, and clear so now is the time. Next rain forecast Thursday. On tinterhooks waiting to see how this goes. Even being so dry, 36 round would beat our best season. Mine is orchard grass and all the surrounding fields are fescue and they look pretty thin, but then the hay always comes off better than I expect.

Well, its done. Fell short of best cut [last year]. Can't find a substitute for lack of rain. It looks like this month will dig that hole deeper as well. Of course the herd of 12-18 deer living in the field likely ate 1-2 round bales. Down the road they are busy installing 8' fencing around a field 100-150 ac. That's desperate.