214366 117 Revision A
4.15 Haying
4.15.1 Curing
Curing crops quickly helps maintain the highest quality of crop material as 5% of protein is lost from hay for each
day that it lays on the ground after cutting.
Leaving the windrow as wide and fluffy as possible results in the quickest curing. Cured hay should be baled as
soon as possible.
4.15.2 Topsoil Moisture
Table 4.3 Topsoil Moisture Levels
Level
% Moisture Condition
Wet
Over 45% Soil is muddy
Damp
25–45% Shows footprints
Dry
Under 25% Surface is dusty
• On wet soil, the general rule of wide and thin does not apply. A narrower windrow will dry faster than hay left flat
on wet ground.
• When the ground is wetter than the hay, moisture from the soil is absorbed by the hay above it. Determine
topsoil moisture level before cutting. Use a moisture tester or estimate level.
• If ground is wet due to irrigation, wait until soil moisture drops below 45%.
• If ground is wet due to frequent rains, cut hay when weather allows and let the forage lie on wet ground until it
dries to the moisture level of the ground.
• Cut hay will dry only to the moisture level of the ground beneath it, so consider moving the windrow to drier
ground.
4.15.3 Weather and Topography
• Cut as much hay as possible by midday when drying conditions are best.
• Fields sloping south get up to 100% more exposure to the sun’s heat than do north sloping fields. If hay is baled
and chopped, consider baling the south facing fields and chopping those facing north.
• When relative humidity is high, the evaporation rate is low and hay dries slowly.
• If there is no wind, saturated air becomes trapped around the windrow. Raking or tedding will expose the hay to
fresh, less saturated air.
• Cut hay perpendicular to the direction of the prevailing winds if possible.
OPERATING THE HEADER
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