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| Equipment Corner (Spring 2006) |
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Hay-making secrets revealed
What it takes to make the perfect bale
At first, the thought of putting up your own hay - let alone deciding what kind of equipment you need - can seem rather overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be.
“It all comes down to the size of your field, field conditions, and how you’re planning to use the hay,” says Joe Parker, marketing representative at John Deere’s Ottumwa Works factory in Ottumwa, Iowa. “Once you have that nailed down, you can match your haymaking equipment accordingly.”
What does it take to cut my crop?
Smaller operations usually call for either a rotary or a sickle-type mower. “In most cases, rotary is usually the best choice,” says Parker. “They provide better performance in sandy, abrasive soil, wet conditions, or thick, tangled crops. And they usually require less maintenance.”
Do I need to condition my crop?
Sometimes cutting and raking the crop just isn’t enough. You may need to use a mower-conditioner. Conditioning - whether it’s crimping the stem with a roll-type conditioner or rubbing the outer waxy surface of the plant with impeller-type conditioning - can significantly reduce dry-down time. “In some crop conditions, conditioning can improve dry-down time by as much as 50 percent,” says Parker. “Faster dry-down means you can bale sooner ... that’s a big plus when you're fighting bad weather or a hectic schedule.” Several mower-conditioners are available with different conditioning systems.
What about baling?
Once you decide whether small square or round bales are better suited to your needs, you can start shopping for a durable, reliable baler. “You’ll want a baler that will make a tight, uniform bale quickly and easily,” says Parker. “That way, your bales will stand up, stack, and transport well.”
Also, be sure to look for a baler with a field-proven, crop-control system - one that starts bales quickly and easily, and keeps the hay moving through the baler without running into obstacles or hang-ups. You’ll also want a baler that does an efficient job picking up all the crop. After all, hay that’s left on the ground is less feed for your livestock.
Where can I go for help?
Your local John Deere dealer would be happy to answer any questions you may have and help you decide which hay tools are right for you.
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