Re: Hay condtioners

Posted by kyhayman on March 27, 2006 at 18:56:17 from (68.171.76.92):

In Reply to: Hay condtioners posted by Hurst on March 27, 2006 at 18:06:47:

I've had a NH haybine since 1985, and raised (and tried to cure) alfalfa since 1991 in central Kentucky. But, I havent used the haybine on alfalfa since I bought a tedder. For years, at the Ky Alfalfa Conference I kept hearing tedder/tedder/tedder. I didnt believe it at first but finally bought a cheap tedder and tried it, not like you see most people do but how they recommended. I cant tell the difference in curing or leaf loss over the haybine.

The next year I sold my cheap tedder and bought a 'real' one. Most important thing I have to make hay. The key is when to use it. Most people wait too long, and the curing benefit isnt there, plus the leaf shatter is intolerable. I cut no more than 4 hrs at a time for dry hay, then tedder. It takes the same amount of time running it even though it covers twice as much width, I run at 50% ground speed (once again against conventional wisdom).

Alfalfa only loses moisture two ways. Continuing respiration out of the leaves until they wilt and out ouf areas of the stem that are either broken or bruised. A conditioner simply cracks the cuticle layer. Tedding gives the same effect, along with bruising of the stem which sets the green color (just like standing on tobacco tips on the wagon sets the undesirable greens).

Certainly I could buy a new discbine, but $$ has been an issue. Its on the purchase list b/c it will save time, not that it makes any better hay than the combo. BTW, I am keeping the haybine, since a disc mower still doesnt like to cut soybeans, lol.

Replies:

• Re: Hay condtioners Hurst 19:18:31 03/27/06 (1)
  • Re: Hay condtioners kyhayman 19:35:03 03/27/06 (0)

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