1. Tons of Production Hay Acreage Tons / Acre Tons of Production 25 50 75
100
125
150
175
200
225
250
1.5 38
113
188
263
300
338
375
2.0
350
400
450
500
2.5 63
313
438
563
625
3.0
525
600
675
750
3.5 88
613
700
788
875
4.0
800
900
1000
4.5
1013
1125
5.0
1250
5.5
138
275
413
550
688
825
963
1100
1238
1375
6.0
1050
1200
1350
1500
6.5
163
325
488
650
813
975
1138
1300
1463
1625
7.0
1225
1400
1575
1750
7.5
938
1313
1688
1875
8.0
1600
1800
2000
8.5
213
425
638
850
1063
1275
1488
1700
1913
2125
Tons / Acre
Tons of Production

2. CUTTING MACHINES Cutting Width Speed Efficiency Acres/ Hour Tons/
(mph)
Efficiency
Acres/
Hour
Tons/
Man hrs./ Ton
1) MOWER
Sickle 7’ 4
80%
2.5 3
0.33 9’ 6
4.9
0.17
Disc
5’ 6” 8
85%
4.1 5
0.20
6’ 8”
5.1
0.16
7’ 10”
6.0 7
0.14
9’ 2”
7.1 9
0.12
10’ 4”
8.1 10
0.10
2) MOWER CONDITIONER
3.2
0.26
8’ 6”
3.9
0.21
4.2
13’
10.3 12
0.08
15’ 7”
7.3
0.11
2) SELF PROPELLED WINDROWER
12’ 3”
82%
7.0
14’ 3”
8.2
16’ 3”
9.4 11
0.09
18’ 3”
10.6 13
87%
13.2 16
0.06
15’ 5”
15.7 19
0.05
18’
18.5 22
0.04

3. FLUFFING & GATHERING MACHINES
Width
Speed (mph)
Acres/Hour
Tons/Hour
Man hrs. /Ton
1) ROLABAR RAKE
8’ 6” 4
3.3
3.96
0.25
9’ 6”
3.7
4.42
0.23
2) WHEEL RAKE
16’ 4” 8
12.7
15.20
0.07
17’ 5”
13.5
16.21
0.06
19’
14.7
17.69
20’ 4”
15.8
18.93
0.05
21’ 8”
16.8
20.17
25”
19.4
23.27
0.04
28’ 6”
22.1
26.53
30’ 10”
23.9
28.70
0.03
33’ 5”
25.9
31.11
36’
27.9
33.51
3) WINDROW MERGER/INVERTER
Inverting Windrows 9’ 10
11.2
13.44
12’
14.1
16.92
Combining two Windrows
22.3
26.76
28.1
33.72
4) ROTARY TEDDER
4 - rotor
16’ 6”
6.4
7.68
0.13
6 - rotor
25’ 7”
9.9
11.91
0.08

4. The Effect of Rainfall on DM Loss
Rainfall, in.
Scarbrough et al., 2005

5. Crop Moisture Lessens Rain Damage on Bermudagrass
DM Loss, %
76% Moisture, Not Significant.
Rainfall, in.
Scarbrough et al., 2005

6. Drying Times Vary 80 60 40 Moisture (%) 20 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 Days
Days 80 60 40 20
Moisture (%)
Good Drying
Conditions
Poor Drying
Conditions

7. Conditioner Drying Rates
Alfalfa
Grass

8. Conditioner Styles
Impeller (flail)
Roller (crimper)

9. Conditioner Styles Impeller (flail) Roller (crimper)
Fine stemmed grasses
Thick stemmed grasses
and
Leafy (legumes)

10. The Effect of Conditioner on the Relative Drying Rate of Alfalfa
Not-tedded
Tedded
(difference from control) -----
No conditioner **
+17%
Rubber crimping roll
+18%
+48%
Steel flail
+24%
+50%
Plastic V-flail
+14%
+35%
Alfalfa
Grass

11. What about buying in your hay?
Lower capital investment
Low variable costs
Less risk
Less labor
Importing nutrients
Storage?

12. How many cows do I need to justify hay production?
As long as you can buy it for this price or less, you are better off buying hay.
Source: Dr. Curt Lacy, Extension Livestock Economist

13. What about buying in your hay?
“I can’t find the quality of hay that I can make!”
There are also some that have too high of an opinion of the quality of their own hay.

14. Harvest Timing Recommendations
Hybrid Bermudagrass
1st cut at inches
Subsequent cuttings at week intervals
Tall fescue, ryegrass, orchardgrass, etc.
Spring cut at early flower stage
Mid to late boot stage for higher quality
Subsequent cuttings at inches (better quality)
Alfalfa
Spring cut at when 10-20% of plants are blooming
Cut at late bud – 10% bloom stage

15. LOSS ACCUMULATE WITH EACH STEP
Field curing
3-25% loss
LOSS ACCUMULATE WITH EACH STEP
Harvesting
3-15% loss
It’s not unusual to see total losses of 70% or greater
Storage
20-45% loss
Feeding
10-30% loss

16. Hay Production
Cut forage to maximize drying time
Cut at appropriate height
Allow swath to be spread wide to maximize drying rate.
Ted the forage morning of next day(s)
Discontinue the use of a tedder when leaf shatter is occurring. (~10 a.m.)
Grasses/Mixed: Rake when close to appropriate hay moisture
Legumes: Rake at 30-40% Moisture and allow to cure in windrow
Bale at target moisture
< 15% for round bales
< 18% for square bales

17. Hay Production Cut forage to maximize drying time
Cut at appropriate height
Allow swath to be spread wide to maximize drying rate.
Ted the forage morning of next day(s)
Discontinue the use of a tedder when leaf shatter is occurring. (~10 a.m.)
Grasses/Mixed: Rake when close to appropriate hay moisture
Legumes: Rake at 30-40% Moisture and allow to cure in windrow
Bale at target moisture
< 15% for round bales
< 18% for square bales

18. Harvest Timing Recommendations
Hybrid Bermudagrass
1st cut at inches
Subsequent cuttings at week intervals
Tall fescue, ryegrass, orchardgrass, etc.
Spring cut at early flower stage
Mid to late boot stage for higher quality
Subsequent cuttings at inches (better quality)
Alfalfa
Spring cut at when 10-20% of plants are blooming
Cut at late bud – 10% bloom stage

19. Mower Options Sickle Cutterbar Disk Cutterbar 10-20% less expense
Require 30% less hp
Repairs are less expensive
Disk Cutterbar
Faster ground speed
Cuts through ant hills better
Maintenance is 20-30% less
Better if crop is lodged

20. Mower Options Sickle Cutterbar Disk Cutterbar 10-20% less expense
Require 30% less hp
Repairs are less expensive
Disk Cutterbar
Faster ground speed
Cuts through ant hills better
Maintenance is 20-30% less
Better if crop is lodged

21. About $10/acre including 1 qt/a 2,4-D
Spray or Mow?
About $14 to $20/acre
About $10/acre including 1 qt/a 2,4-D
More than $20/acre 15

22. Mowing
Mowing 3 times per year for 2 years provided 80 to 90% control of ironweed and goldenrod.

23. Mowing Too late to prevent competition. No selectivity.
Perennials will regrow.
May prevent weed seed production.
Consistency is key to effective weed control with mowing.

24. Mowing Too late to prevent competition. No selectivity.
Perennials will regrow.
May prevent weed seed production.
Consistency is key to effective weed control with mowing.

25. Conditioner Styles Impeller (flail) Roller (crimper)
Fine stemmed grasses
Thick stemmed grasses
and
Leafy (legumes)

26. Conditioner Styles
Impeller (flail)
Roller (crimper)

27. Conditioner Styles Impeller (flail) Roller (crimper)
Fine stemmed grasses
Thick stemmed grasses
and
Leafy (legumes)

28. Cross Section of Crop Stem
Stems have a waxy surface called cutin
Conditioning should scratch or crack the stem surface for faster drying

29. The Effect of Conditioner on the Relative Drying Rate of Alfalfa
Not-tedded
Tedded
(difference from control) -----
No conditioner **
+17%
Rubber crimping roll
+18%
+48%
Steel flail
+24%
+50%
Plastic V-flail
+14%
+35%
Alfalfa
Grass

30. Dry Matter Losses from Alfalfa as a Result of Conditioning
Grass

31. The Effect of Conditioner on the Relative Drying Rate of Alfalfa
Not-tedded
Tedded
(difference from control) -----
No conditioner **
+17%
Rubber crimping roll
+18%
+48%
Steel flail
+24%
+50%
Plastic V-flail
+14%
+35%
Alfalfa
Grass

32. “My Buddy, Ted” Increase hay-drying rates by 20-40% (~ 0.5 – 1 day)
DM Loss: Grasses (<3%) Legumes (7-10% +)
Breaks up clumps & distributes the crop over the entire area.
Increased sun
Fluffed for better air movement
Initial tedding: w/in 2-4 hrs (clumps break better)
Additional tedding? May be necessary for grass, probable for alfalfa

33. Hay Raking Systems
Parallel bar rake
The lowest amount of hay loss, particularly with legumes.
Usually ground drive system.
Rotary rakes
Some are dual function (rake or ted).
Wheel rakes
Operated at a higher speed (saves time)
Tend to leave more in the field.

34. Hay Raking Systems Parallel bar rake Rotary rakes Wheel rakes
The lowest amount of hay loss, particularly with legumes.
Usually ground drive system.
Rotary rakes
Some are dual function (rake or ted).
Wheel rakes
Operated at a higher speed (saves time)
Tend to leave more in the field.

35. Hay Curing Management Avoid tedding legumes when > 50% moisture
Conditioner? YES.
Wide or narrow swath? Wide as possible
When to mow? Early as possible
Ted it? YES, but only when damp and toward the end of when the dew is on.
Avoid tedding legumes when > 50% moisture
Moisture at raking?
35-40% for legumes
20-25% for grass/legume mixes
~<20% for bermudagrass
Moisture at baling?
Small square = 18%,
Round bales = 15%

36. Hay Curing Management Conditioner? YES.
Wide or narrow swath? Wide as possible
When to mow? Early as possible
Ted it? YES, but only when damp and toward the end of when the dew is on.
Avoid tedding legumes when < 50% moisture
Moisture at raking?
35-40% for legumes
20-25% for grass/legume mixes
~<20% for bermudagrass
Moisture at baling?
Small square = 18%,
Round bales = 15%

37. Harvest Timing Recommendations
Hybrid Bermudagrass
1st cut at inches
Subsequent cuttings at week intervals
Tall fescue, ryegrass, orchardgrass, etc.
Spring cut at early flower stage
Mid to late boot stage for higher quality
Subsequent cuttings at inches (better quality)
Alfalfa
Spring cut at when 10-20% of plants are blooming
Cut at late bud – 10% bloom stage

38. Forage Cutting Intervals
Tall Fescue (Randomized Complete Block Design)

39. Forage Cutting Intervals
Bermudagrass (Randomized Complete Block Design)

40. Treatment Design
Cutting intervals will be assigned to simulate grazing scenarios typically found in beef cattle operations
Cutting Interval
Simulated Scenario
2 Week
Continuous Grazing
4 Week
Rotational Grazing
6, 8, 10 Week/ Boot, Soft Dough, Hard Dough
Hay Production

41. Top 10 Causes of Stand Loss
Poor K fertility
Disease
Low soil pH
Lack of topsoil/rooting depth
Overgrazing
Scalping
Weed pressure
Insect pressure
Cutting bermudagrass too late in the season
Photo credit: Charles Rice, Univ. of Georgia

42. Dr. Dennis Hancock, Univ. of Georgia
Timing of Last Cutting
~2 wks before first frost
~1 wk after first frost
Dr. Dennis Hancock, Univ. of Georgia

44. Components of Forage Waste:
Field curing
Harvesting
Storage
Feeding
Field curing
5-25% loss
Harvesting
7-15% loss

45. Increased Cutting Interval Inc. Yield, but Dec
Increased Cutting Interval Inc. Yield, but Dec. Leaf % and Digestibility
Cutting Interval
Yield
Leaves
DDM
Weeks
lbs DM/acre %
Pearl Millet 6
10,750 53 62 4
8,220 69 3
6,570 73 70 2
5,460 92 75
Sorghum x Sudangrass
10,100 46 66
6,090 59 68
5,780 67 72
5,040
Adapted from Hoveland et al Auburn Univ. Highlights of Agric. Res. 16(2):1; 3-yr average

47. Preventing Hay Molding and Heating

48. Field Efficiency Estimates
Operating Width
HP Required
Max. Speed
(mph)
Acres/
Hour
Tons/
Man-Hours/ Ton
1) DISC MOWER
6’ 8” 45 8
5.1 6
0.16
7’ 10” 55
6.0 7
0.14
9’ 2” 60
7.1 9
0.12
2) DISC MOWER CONDITIONER 65
10’ 4” 80
8.1 10
0.10
13’ 90
10.3 12
0.08
3) TEDDER
16’ 6” (4 rotors) 30
9.3
14.5 17
0.06
25’ 0” (6 rotors) 47
22.0 22
0.04
33’ 6” (8 rotors)
29.5 35
0.03
4) SIDE DELIVERY, PARALLEL BAR RAKE
8’ 6” 4
3.3
4.0
0.25
9’ 6”
3.7
4.4
0.23
5) WHEEL RAKE
16’ 4” (8 wheels)
12.7
15.20
0.07
19’ (10 wheels)
14.7
17.69
21’ 8” (12 wheels) 50
16.8
20.17
0.05
33’ 5” (18 wheels)
25.9
31.11

49. Field Efficiency Estimates
Bale Size
HP Required
Volume
(ft3)
Bale Weight (lbs)
Tons/
Hour
Man-Hours/ Ton
1) SMALL SQUARE BALER
14” x 18” x 36” 35
5.3
45-55
3.41
0.29 75
60-70
4.86
0.21
2) ROUND BALER
4’ wide x 5’ tall 60
76.1
21.00
0.08
5’ x 5’ 70
100.6
27.00
0.05
4’ x 6’ 80
102.4
28.13
0.04
5’ x 6’
135.4
35.70
0.03
3) LARGE SQUARE BALER
36” x 32” x 7.5’
102
58.1
30.00
36” x 48” x 7.5’
122
87.2
45.00
0.02

50. Scenario 1 Scenario 2 Original Scenario Alternative Scenario Labor
(hrs/year)
Disc mower (6' 8")
37.25
(38 acres x 5 cuttings/yr ÷ 5.1 acres/hr)
Tedder (16' 6")
26.21
(38 acres x 5 cuttings/yr x 2 passes/cutting ÷ 14.5 acres/hr)
Side delivery rake (8' 6")
57.58
(38 acres x 5 cuttings/yr ÷ 3.3 acres/hr)
Round Baler (4' x 5' bales)
10.86
(38 acres x 5 cuttings/yr x 1.2 tons/acre ÷ 21 tons/hr)
Total Hours
131.89
Scenario 2
Alternative Scenario
Labor
(hrs/year)
Disc mower-conditioner (10' 4")
23.46
(38 acres x 5 cuttings/yr ÷ 8.1 acres/hr)
Tedder (25')
17.27
(38 acres x 5 cuttings/yr x 2 passes/cutting ÷ 22.0 acres/hr)
Wheel rake (19')
12.93
(38 acres x 5 cuttings/yr ÷ 14.7 acres/hr)
Round Baler (4' x 6' bales)
8.11
(38 acres x 5 cuttings/yr x 1.2 tons/acre ÷ tons/hr)
Total Hours
61.76

51. (~30 lbs water & ~9 lbs of DM)
Losses During Storage
Even when hay is baled at the target moisture (15% moisture for round bales; 18% for squares), the forage will go through a “sweat” for 2-3 wks.
Moisture is driven off, heat is given off, and DM dec.
A 1% decrease in moisture ≈ 1% decrease in DM
Moisture tends to equilibrate at 12% during storage
15% Moisture
12% Moisture
CO2
H2O +
1000 lbs DM
961 lbs DM
(~30 lbs water & ~9 lbs of DM)