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How wet is too wet?

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Doug

06-02-2003 10:06:37

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How can you tell when hay is dry enough to bale without using any special measuring equipment?

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Hugh MacKay

06-04-2003 11:20:26

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Re: how wet is too wet? in reply to Doug, 06-02-2003 10:06:37

Doug: I quit agree with the microwave guys, however some times you want quicker results. I use what is called the snowball test. Grab a handfull of hay, try and make a snowball. If it stays packed together, hay is too damp. If the snowball springs apart its dry. Take a few samples the microwave way but also do the snowball test. Monitor this closely with the microwave test. After about 25 samples in a 3 day period you will become very good. Same goes for any of these handling systems. Know what 15, 18 20 22 or 24 percent each feel like. It doesn't take 10 years to become good at this.

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kyhayman

06-03-2003 14:21:02

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Re: how wet is too wet? in reply to Doug, 06-02-2003 10:06:37

My 'rule of thumb' is to feel the underside of the windrow, if it feels 'cool' that means a little heavier than I like. I do have a digital tester and it was a great investment for using preservatives. Reading is always low on alfalfa (gives reading too quick to account for all the stem moisture) so I calibrate using a microwave (also an option). Take a sample, weigh it (I bought a snifty little digital scale for $100), then dry it 1 min at a time until the sample loses no more weight. Subtract wet weight from dry weight and that gives you the weight of moisture lost. Take the weight lost and divide by wet weight and it will give you a decimal which converts to % moisture. Just be sure to keep your units of measure (ounces or grams) the same.

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Jerry D in NC

06-03-2003 20:00:02

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Re: Re: how wet is too wet? in reply to kyhayman, 06-03-2003 14:21:02

I second the microwave thing. It works great for 100 gm samples and is right dog gone accurate. If you can keep the moisture content under 18% then you are in good shape. Dryer is better but the rain waits on no one. LOL

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Leroy

06-03-2003 06:12:06

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Re: how wet is too wet? in reply to Doug, 06-02-2003 10:06:37

On alfalfa or red clover we used to; quit making hay 22 year ago; pull a stem at several different places in field fron middle inside of row, if could with fingernail scrape the outside off was too wet, shoud not be able to scrape any skin off the stem

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Ernie Bob

06-02-2003 22:28:44

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Re: how wet is too wet? in reply to Doug, 06-02-2003 10:06:37

Doug,

Unfortunately, this not an exact science, the down side is if you bale too damp and stack just right and all other conditions are right you can end up with a hay fire. Happened to us back in 84, lost 1,300 bales in a stack. Fire started in the middle and worked towards the edges. When the fire department showed up their job was watering down the surounding buildings cause there was nothing they could do.

Good Luck!
Ernie Bob

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Don-WI

06-02-2003 19:47:32

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Re: how wet is too wet? in reply to Doug, 06-02-2003 10:06:37

I ussually just flip a little over in the windrow and check it. If the middle is still damp, it's too wet. If it looks/feels all about the same dryness, kinda crunchy, it's ready to go. As the others have said, your baler will let you know. If it's a square baler, you can tell if they are much heavier than they should be, and twine will just keep busting. I don't thinik any farmer really uses any special equipment to check his hay in the field, just by look and feel. Pretty soon I'll be cutting 1st crop, but it aint quite ready yet...
Donovan from Wisconsin

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Michael Soldan

06-02-2003 18:17:45

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Re: how wet is too wet? in reply to Doug, 06-02-2003 10:06:37

Also, an old neighbour of mine says that if you cut hay with dew on it it will take an extra day to dry properly, always wait until late morning when the moisture(dew) is evapourated before you start mowing...can save a lot of time in the end...I agree with the others and my baler will tell me if its too wet...problems problems problems...when its dried just right it rolls through the baler...good luck with the haying....Mike in Exeter Ontario

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Delbert

06-02-2003 15:42:35

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Re: how wet is too wet? in reply to Doug, 06-02-2003 10:06:37

Doug if you are using square baler it will tell you if it is to wet just by the way it works. Alfalfa can be baled with a lot of it,s own moisture but the other guy,s have the best ideas. Grass hay if it has been a dry spell can be baled kinda green but best to let it dry a day or so. I have seen praire grass baled just behind swather with little round a c baler if ti has been a dry summer. If baling alfalfa and it starts losing alot of leaves you might want to bale later in evening or in morning with just alittle dew. What i am trying to say is the baler will let know if it is ready the easier it goes through the baler the more likey it is ready to bale. Have fun baling.

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AGEN

06-02-2003 10:39:47

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Re: how wet is too wet? in reply to Doug, 06-02-2003 10:06:37

Same idea as Jim H. but a little different: Grab a handful and twist it like you were ringing out a washcloth. You have to twist the heck out of it, but if you can't get any juice out, it plenty dry. Right after you mow hay, grab some green grass and twist it the same way to get an idea of how much juice can be twisted out.

Also, if you're wondering if its OK to keep baling after a really light shower of rain or when its getting later into the evening and getting damp, notice how much dust is coming from the baler (round baler especially). If its still making lots of dust, the hay is still plenty dry.

Good luck.

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Jim H.

06-02-2003 10:30:49

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Re: how wet is too wet? in reply to Doug, 06-02-2003 10:06:37

Grab a handful, maybe 2"-4" in diameter, and bend it - if most of it crunches and breaks, then it's ready. If most of it bends but does not break, then it's not ready. Scientific? Heck no. Subjective? Well, yes. After years of using this method, you'll get the hang of it. But of course, that doesn't help you right now...

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