2023 Hay Season

We got .34” of much needed rain yesterday. It’s been dry here plus we had 3 mornings in a row with frost this week. Think we are about 2 weeks out yet. Not seeing any blossoms on the Alfalfa.

Similar to @jdmich, a couple weeks out, maybe less? We fertilized a few weeks ago, then last week we got dumped on with rain. I don't know the last time I've seen it this high.

I started 2 days ago with a 6 acre field. Looks like I will beat the weather coming in.

Been waiting for the new thread to get started.

Too early yet but has been dry. Couple times thought about doing squares last couple of weeks just to say I made dry hay in middle of May. Which for this area is rarer than rare. Should be doing some baleage/hay next week but traveling to Indiana for my sons graduation. Just going to focus on getting equipment ready and first batch of corn in.

Yep, cut some last week- just enough to see what would break on the equipment. Mower fine, tedder good, rake good but one minor but important chain roller on the baler needed replacing. It's a simple roller on a 5/8" bolt but the design makes the bolt want to unscrew. New replacements ordered but in the meantime a bolt with a sleeve was put on and the hay baled. Fortunately, it was just a test cut so not a lot would have been lost had something more serious cropped up. Still, it was good to get started. We've got fog with rain coming today but next week we'll start with a more serious cutting. The hay is ready, just have to get the weather right.

This is becoming a straight up repeat of last season. We fertilized the 14th of April, things were looking great, now it’s been two weeks with not a single drop of rain. So once again we’re looking at a stunted crop that is starting to head out. Because of this, last year we took our first cutting almost 3 weeks early in hopes of rebounding with a good second cutting, but it never rained so our second cutting was the worst we’ve ever done. Other than our current situation I seriously hope we’re not in for a repeat of ‘22.

We’ve had a dry spring too with longer stretches of no rain than I can remember. Going a week or more without any rain in April and May is very unusual. My fields don’t look to be too thick this year, the grass all looks a little lighter green than normal. I’m hoping to get it all cut during this dry stretch and then if we get rain it should come back quickly.

Couldn’t get it dry enough today. Some spots were great running 10-14.7. Some were 16.8-33. Made about 20 bales across multiple rows and cut open over half. The hay is drawing moisture from the green grass underneath. Going to rake, maybe ted, tomorrow and then see if there is any improvement.

I'm still about a month out. Over the winter went and replaced a bunch of tines on the rake and ordered a few rolls of clover twine. Baler worked great last year but was having issue with the sisal twine uniformity. I know plastic doesn't have that issue but no matter how hard I try it always seems to find bearings and spindles.

Can you weld? Glue that sucker back together and keep going

Sterling 6.7 said:

Can you weld? Glue that sucker back together and keep going

Click to expand...

Junior is taking it with him to school today to attempt welding it back together.

Mine is ready….my land is leased to a farmer with a cattle operation. He owns or leases a couple hundred acres of hay, and I am not high on the priority list. But I can agree with what the some others said… It’s been a pretty dry May and I don’t ever think I’ve seen a 10 day forecast in May with no rain in it…. But we have one now.

Cousin dropped a field last night. Its one of our small Alfalfa fields and wanted to cut it before it blossomed. No rain in sigh so he figured get some baled why we have such a big window

JD4430 said:

Yield will be pathetic. Be happy to see 60 bales/acre

Click to expand...

This year is looking as bad if not worse than last year if we don’t get rain soon. Last year at least our first cutting was good but this year even first isn’t looking good.