When mowing forage for hay, numerous management decisions contribute to total crop yield, forage quality and crop stand longevity. This includes whether you’re harvesting grass hay or alfalfa hay, your preferred cutting height and when the first cutting takes place.

When you mow a hay field at the correct time, you can maximize your profits. Open up the mower when you arrive at the field. Turn on the PTO. Set the tractor to the correct RPM. Begin to drive forward and lower the mower to the ground at the same time.

Feb 15, 2019 · There are three primary styles of hay mowers for smaller tractors: Sickle bar, disc, and drum. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. In order to choose the mower that will work best for your situation, first fit the mower to the size of your tractor and then determine how you will be using it.

Mar 1, 2025 · Prepare for the first hay cutting of spring! Get expert tips on ensuring your equipment and farm are ready for action. Don't miss out on the perfect weather – be ready to mow at the peak of pasture maturity.

Aug 26, 2009 · Get to the endrows, lift the mower, swing it to the opposite side, drop it back down and mow. With a little practice the mower can be lifted while getting all the hay mowed but without getting into the mown endrow and can be dropped back down to get all the hay without getting into the inside row.

Haying basically involves four steps: Mowing (or cutting), tedding, raking, and baling. 1. Mowing: Mowing fields is like mowing your lawn, except the grasses get taller in between mowings (and we use different equipment!). In a good growing season, a single field can be cut several times.

Jul 6, 2015 · Making dry hay has several steps and machines needed to complete the process. They are in order of process: mowing, tedding, raking, baling, and loading, hauling, and unloading. Mowing, or harvesting the hay. Several types of machines can be used for this process, such as sickle bar mowers, mower-conditioners, disk mowers, and disk mower ...

Mowing is a critical step in hay production, and the efficiency of this process affects the entire operation. Here’s what to consider: Mowing Height: Adjust your mower to the appropriate cutting height for the type of hay you’re harvesting. Cutting too low can damage the plants and reduce regrowth potential.

Apr 15, 2021 · There are some management practices that can be done during the mowing phase to help optimize forage quality and preserve the nutrients found in the crop. Maximizing the swath width during mowing can be one of the keys to reducing dry down time.

Jan 8, 2025 · Mowing, or harvesting the hay – Sickle bar mowers, mower-conditioners, disk mowers, and disk mower-conditioners can be used in this process. The sickle bar mowers are obsolete and hard to use, but the mower-conditioner is a good choice for a small farmer because they crush and squeeze all the moisture from the hay.