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Hay cutting time?

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Kelly C

05-09-2003 22:46:48




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Well this is my 1st year doing some hay. Here in Central MN when do you guys do the 1st cutting for grass hay??




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Marvin(MN)

05-12-2003 21:46:04




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 Re: Hay cutting time? in reply to Kelly C, 05-09-2003 22:46:48  
Hey Kelly C: If things around Braham are like Barnum you had better have pontoons on the tractor and mower or wait a bit HE HE HE!
Marvin



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JMS/MN

05-11-2003 21:44:05




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 Re: Hay cutting time? in reply to Kelly C, 05-09-2003 22:46:48  
Kelly, I know that you are located a bit north of the twin cities, while I'm mostly west and a bit north. Around here we cut alfalfa the last week of May, depending on the spring, otherwise the first week of June. For grass hay, it is usually later- second week or so. Also depends on how many cuts you expect to make. Here- 3-4 cuts of alfalfa is the norm, on a 30-35 day basis. By the way, June 10 in this area is the most likely day of the year to be wet- if you are doing alfalfa, get it done before then, or wait. For grass hay, you have more leeway.

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Travis

05-11-2003 16:46:39




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 Re: Hay cutting time? in reply to Kelly C, 05-09-2003 22:46:48  
Grass hay? Well I normally only get one cutting off of it a year here, so I cut it whenever she's good and headed out. I grow mostly alfalfa and try to get 3-4 cuttings off of it. I normally cut it around June 1st, which is about two weeks after she starts blooming out, I don't want anymore than 50% of the blooms starting to turn brown. Kinda depends on the weather mostly so I just use my best judgment on how early I cut it. First cutting I like to cut it earlier, the 2nd and 3rd is easier to do it seems because the weather is usually more agreeable.

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STEVEN H

05-11-2003 15:17:53




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 Re: Hay cutting time? in reply to Kelly C, 05-09-2003 22:46:48  
I like to cut alfalfa 12 to 16in tall. some cut when it is shorter. calves like soft hay, so that hay needs to be cut shorter. i always roll/rake the hay when i can twist the hay apart with ease. than i will bale the same way after rakeing.



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Farmer in the Dells (WI)

05-11-2003 13:13:59




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 Re: Hay cutting time? in reply to Kelly C, 05-09-2003 22:46:48  
I had my first cutting baled and sold on the truck two weeks ago. It was not very good quality as far as feed but the construction company bought it for mulch hay to spread on the side of the road. In the two or three weeks since we have rain then sun in four day stretches three times and the next cutting is already 4-6 inches up. I suspect I'll be going after that mid June if not sooner. I am hoping for 4 cuttings of primarily timothy and orchard grass this year. Here comes summer!

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Jim in Michigan

05-11-2003 06:59:47




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 Re: Hay cutting time? in reply to Kelly C, 05-09-2003 22:46:48  
After the 4th of July here,,everyone waits till the 4th is over and then starts..A few do some green chopping before that though...we are getting a real gully washer here right now, but we need it,...Jim



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larry

05-11-2003 05:21:47




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 Re: Hay cutting time? in reply to Kelly C, 05-09-2003 22:46:48  
the old farts around here used to say a change in the moon is a change in the weather i used to cut by moon signs cut in the rain a few times drove neighbors nuts that i could always pick a stretch of nice weather but if you have grass a stretch of 2 or 3 days should do it good luck and watch the forcast



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Jerry

05-11-2003 05:08:00




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 Re: Hay cutting time? in reply to Kelly C, 05-09-2003 22:46:48  
June 1 here in upper NY might be best hay but few are able to get started then. As Ill the weather plays a large role.



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agman

05-10-2003 20:07:23




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 Re: Hay cutting time? in reply to Kelly C, 05-09-2003 22:46:48  
Here in IL got rye that should have been cut a week ago, alfalfa in a couple weeks. If we could get a few hot,dry days it'd work but rain every other day just doesn't work for making hay. The joys of making hay, you need the rain but you got to figure out when mother nature is going to give the time and weather to put up hay, it's a battle all summer.



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farmer jones

05-11-2003 11:07:38




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 Re: Re: Hay cutting time? in reply to agman, 05-10-2003 20:07:23  
I live in south central Ill. How do you rye, hay haylage, green chop?? We grow rye, but only use it for cover crop. Well this year it is well covered, shoulder high, which is good for erosion. Thanks



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here, try this

05-10-2003 04:33:07




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 Re: Hay cutting time? in reply to Kelly C, 05-09-2003 22:46:48  
kelly, you want optimal growth without sacrificing quality. As the grass starts to head and mature you loose quality fast. Asess what type of grass you have growing in your fields. Orchard grass matures very early and needs to be cut before it gets ripe or the cows won't eat it. Timothy matures later.



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