10 hours ago
Hay production involves a sequence of mechanical operations—cutting, tedding, raking, baling, and hauling—each requiring specialized equipment and timing. Success depends on weather, forage type, and machine coordination, with efficiency gains driven by modern tractor-mounted tools and hydraulic systems.
Historical Context and Equipment Evolution
Haymaking has been central to livestock farming for centuries, with early methods relying on scythes, pitchforks, and manual stacking. Mechanization accelerated in the 20th century, with the introduction of sickle bar mowers, side-delivery rakes, and twine balers. By the 1980s, rotary tedders and round balers became standard, allowing faster drying and higher-density storage.
Manufacturers like New Holland, John Deere, and Massey Ferguson led the development of integrated hay tools. By 2010, compact tractors with front-end loaders and quick-attach implements had become common on small and mid-sized farms across North America.
Terminology Note
Cutting
In Kentucky, a father-son team uses a compact tractor with a front loader to move bales from the field to a covered shed. Their workflow includes cutting with a 7-foot disc mower, tedding with a 4-rotor tedder, and baling with a Vermeer round baler. They report that the most challenging part is timing around rain—every three days of precipitation can disrupt drying and reduce protein content.
In Alberta, a bison rancher uses a loader with a grapple to stack round bales three high. He notes that second cuttings often flood the local market with low-protein hay, making timing and quality control essential for profitability.
Recommendations for Efficiency
Hay production is a choreographed sequence of mechanical and environmental decisions. From cutting to hauling, each step affects forage quality, storage safety, and market value. With modern equipment and careful timing, farmers can optimize yield and reduce labor—even when working with family in small operations. The rhythm of haymaking remains a cornerstone of rural life, blending tradition with innovation.
Historical Context and Equipment Evolution
Haymaking has been central to livestock farming for centuries, with early methods relying on scythes, pitchforks, and manual stacking. Mechanization accelerated in the 20th century, with the introduction of sickle bar mowers, side-delivery rakes, and twine balers. By the 1980s, rotary tedders and round balers became standard, allowing faster drying and higher-density storage.
Manufacturers like New Holland, John Deere, and Massey Ferguson led the development of integrated hay tools. By 2010, compact tractors with front-end loaders and quick-attach implements had become common on small and mid-sized farms across North America.
Terminology Note
- Tedding: The process of fluffing and spreading cut hay to accelerate drying.
- Raking: Gathering dried hay into windrows for baling.
- Windrow: A linear pile of hay formed by raking, ready for baling.
- Bale Spear: A loader attachment used to lift and transport round or square bales.
- Moisture Content: The percentage of water in hay, ideally below 15% for safe storage.
Cutting
- Performed using disc mowers or sickle bar mowers.
- Ideal cutting height is 2.5–3 inches to preserve regrowth.
- Timing depends on forage maturity—alfalfa is typically cut at 10% bloom.
- Rotary tedders spread hay evenly across the field.
- Best done within 2–4 hours of cutting to prevent leaf loss.
- Speeds drying by exposing more surface area to sun and wind.
- Side-delivery or rotary rakes gather hay into windrows.
- Performed when hay reaches 40–50% moisture.
- Windrow shape affects baler pickup efficiency.
- Round balers produce 800–1,200 lb bales; square balers produce 40–80 lb flakes.
- Bale density and twine tension must be adjusted based on crop type.
- Moisture sensors help prevent mold and spoilage.
- Front-end loaders with bale spears or grapples move bales off the field.
- Bales are stacked in barns or under tarps to prevent weather damage.
- Proper stacking allows airflow and minimizes spontaneous combustion risk.
In Kentucky, a father-son team uses a compact tractor with a front loader to move bales from the field to a covered shed. Their workflow includes cutting with a 7-foot disc mower, tedding with a 4-rotor tedder, and baling with a Vermeer round baler. They report that the most challenging part is timing around rain—every three days of precipitation can disrupt drying and reduce protein content.
In Alberta, a bison rancher uses a loader with a grapple to stack round bales three high. He notes that second cuttings often flood the local market with low-protein hay, making timing and quality control essential for profitability.
Recommendations for Efficiency
- Use moisture meters to test hay before baling.
- Maintain blade sharpness on mowers and tedders to reduce fuel use.
- Invest in hydraulic bale spears for faster loading.
- Schedule cutting based on 3-day weather forecasts.
- Rotate bale storage locations to prevent soil compaction and nutrient loss.
Hay production is a choreographed sequence of mechanical and environmental decisions. From cutting to hauling, each step affects forage quality, storage safety, and market value. With modern equipment and careful timing, farmers can optimize yield and reduce labor—even when working with family in small operations. The rhythm of haymaking remains a cornerstone of rural life, blending tradition with innovation.
