By Blake Jackson
Frequent rainfall in May has made haymaking more difficult for many farmers, with unpredictable weather interrupting drying times. However, a small change in technique can help improve results.
Carson Roberts, a state forage specialist with the University of Missouri Extension, recommends a simple adjustment to make hay dry faster in the field. He advises setting the swath boards on the swather to the widest position.
This spreads the hay out in a thinner layer, allowing more exposure to sunlight and air. As a result, drying is quicker, and farmers can bale the hay sooner—minimizing losses due to unexpected rain.
“You will notice that this changes the width of the windrow to expose more of the forage to the sun, which may cause some bleaching,” says Roberts. But the trade-off of some minor bleaching is less detrimental to quality than wet hay left in the field in larger windrows when rain occurs. “You can make high-quality hay and put it up fast,” says Roberts.
While the wider windrow may lighten the colour of the hay slightly, the benefits of reduced moisture far outweigh the appearance concerns. Fast drying improves both the timing and quality of the final product.
Farmers across the country can benefit from this small but important adjustment, especially during wet seasons. With a wider swath, the chances of salvaging high-quality hay—even with limited dry days—are much higher.
Photo Credit: university-of-missouri
Categories: Missouri, Business, Crops, Hay & Forage, Weather