THE
DOLLARS AND SENSE OF HAY
PRODUCTION
Information
Bulletin 311
Donald
E. Pogue
Dairy Scientist and Assistant Superintendent
North Mississippi Branch Experiment Station
Roscoe
L. Ivy
Agronomist
Prairie Research Unit
Richard
R. Evans
Animal Scientist and Superintendent
Prairie Research Unit
C. Pat
Bagley
Animal Scientist and Head
North Mississippi Research and Extension Center
Introduction
Forages
That Can Be Used to Produce High Quality
Hay
Soil
Fertility as it Influences Forage Production and
Maintenance
Factors
Affecting Hay Quality
Types
of Haying Equipment
The
Importance of Weed Control
Round
Bale Storage Systems
Feeding
and Storage Losses
Conclusions
References
Hay is the primary feed source for cattle during the winter. The quality of hay is dependent upon harvesting a high-quality forage, and the proper management through baling, storage, and feeding. Hay losses from baling to feeding can range from 5% to 65%. A review of the economic value of this nation's cattle industry makes clear the importance of producing high quality hay and minimizing losses.
Of all agricultural commodities produced in the United States, beef cattle and calves rank number one, and dairy cattle and dairy products number two (1994) in terms of total economic value. Together, the beef and dairy industries combine to account for more than 38% of all U. S. agricultural income. The selling and marketing of hay ranks third in the United States (1994) in total sales of agronomic crops, at $11.8 billion, slightly less than the $12.0 billion generated by soybeans and less than the $23.0 billion in annual sales from corn (AFGC, 1995). Based on these figures, the combination of beef cattle and calves, dairy and dairy products, and hay account for about half of all agricultural economic activity in the United States. This total economic value does not include the value of grazed forages, which provide more nutrients to livestock on an annual basis than does hay.
On a global basis, beef and veal production was estimated in 1995 to be approximately 80 billion pounds with the United States accounting for just over 30% of this total (MLC, 1994). Animal production has been recognized as the leading economic multiplier activity in the world today (Parker, 1990). On a worldwide basis, only 8% of the human diet comes from animal products, while in countries like the United States and Canada, 30% of the caloric intake is from animal products (Bourlaug and Dowswell, 1994). Carruthers (1993) has put forth an interesting hypothesis that the developed countries, and the United States in particular, will become even more important suppliers of meat and dairy products in the future, with developing countries becoming more important as producers of manufactured goods. As countries increase their standards of living and per capita income, there is an accompanying rise in the consumption of beef and other meat products.
Based upon these trends, the future of beef, dairy products, and the forages cattle utilize as major nutrient resources appears quite positive. However, in a global market, there will be increasing pressure to maintain a low cost of production. Efficient systems of grazing and hay production will provide the basis of cost-efficient livestock production.
Estimates are that the cost of total digestible nutrients (TDN) is approximately 2.5¢ per pound for grazed forages compared to an estimated 7¢ per pound of TDN for hay or silage. Wilkins (1990) estimated that silage and haymaking are two to three times more expensive than grazing when compared on a per pound of TDN basis. In other parts of the world, such as Europe, the majority of forage is stored as silage (Wilkinson and Stark, 1987), while most forage in the United States is stored as hay. Fowler (1969) estimated that of all calories consumed by beef cattle, 75-80% are from either grazed or stored (hay) forages. While hay usually represents the least expensive method of providing nutrients to cattle when grazing is not available, hay is relatively expensive and time-consuming to produce and feed. It sometimes appears that producers spend all of the hot months growing forage and making hay, and all the cold months feeding hay.
Much of the hay sold in the United States is sold by the bale, based on color or forage type, with little concern over quality. Good-quality hay is often sold too cheap, and poor quality hay is often sold for more than it is worth. Poor-quality hay is low in both protein and energy and is usually high in fiber. Because poor-quality hay is high in fiber, cattle tend to eat less because of its slow rate of digestion in the rumen, and therefore, do not/cannot eat enough to make efficient gains. Contrast this to a good-quality hay that cows readily consume and quickly digest, resulting in more efficient production of meat and milk. Knowing hay quality is a critical factor in formulating economical supplementation programs, if necessary.
This publication focuses on all aspects of hay production, based on experience as well as research at the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, several brochures, and information from agricultural experiment stations in other states. It includes:
- Forage types as hay crops.
- Fertility requirements of forage crops.
- Weed control in forages.
- Haying equipment.
- Impact of hay quality on supplemental feeds and costs.
- Hay storage losses.
- Hay storage systems.
The purpose of this bulletin is to focus on the importance of managing forages for hay production, and to suggest how producers can reduce costs and prevent nutrient losses in hay systems by improving management in production, storage, feeding, and supplementing.
Forages are the backbone of almost every successful livestock operation in the Southeast. Grazing of forages by livestock can reduce the amount of stored forage needed for maintenance and production. However, stored forage is needed when pasture growth is insufficient to meet livestock feed requirements. A good grazing and hay program can supply the majority of livestock nutrients needed on a year-round basis. A total forage-hay management program must be developed to meet the needs of livestock, unless the producer is only in the cattle business during seasons of the year when forages are actively growing.
When developing a forage program or improving an existing forage program, factors to be considered include: 1) objectives of the livestock producer, 2) type of livestock, 3) available capital, 4) physical location, 5) climate, (6) soil type, and (7) available labor.
Forage species fall into two broad groups: 1) legumes or 2) grasses. These forages can be further subdivided within two broad categories. The subgroups under the main groups are cool season and warm season forages. Forages within the subgroups can be further subdivided into annual and perennial forages. An annual is a plant that germinates, grows, reproduces, and dies in one growing season. A perennial is a plant that, under suitable conditions, persists for more than one growing season. Warm-season plants begin growth in the spring or early summer and make most of their growth during the warmer months of the year. Cool-season plants make most of their growth during the cool season of the year. In the South, cool-season plants are usually planted and begin growth in autumn, but sometimes they are planted in early spring. Bermudagrass is an example of a warm-season perennial grass; ryegrass is an example of a cool-season annual grass. Table 1 gives a classification and listing of forage crops commonly grown in Mississippi. Table 2 lists legumes commonly grown in Mississippi.
The selection of forage crop(s) to plant or establish for hay should be based on several factors, including: 1) forage type and variety, 2) adaptation, 3) nutritional needs of animals, 4) quality of hay, 5) hay yield, and 6) cost of establishment and maintenance. There is no perfect forage crop. Generally, some of our most long-lived forages are relatively low in quality. Some high-quality forages can be short-lived because of heavy grazing pressure imposed by livestock, or because of insect, drought or disease pressure. Examples of this includes alfalfa, fungus-free fescue, and several of the clovers.
Selection of forage species for hay is limited to those adapted to the soil types and conditions on a producer's location and his management capabilities. Hay can be produced from both annual and perennial crops, but perennial forages are generally more economical because of the lower yearly cost of establishment compared to annuals. Legumes are usually higher in quality than are grasses, and cool-season grasses are generally higher in quality than warm-season grasses. This is generally true under similar management conditions, although forage quality is impacted by time of the year, regrowth, and other factors.
TABLE
1. FORAGE GRASSES COMMONLY GROWN IN MISSISSIPPI.
Warm-season
Cool-season
Warm-season
Cool-season Bahiagrass Tall
fescue Browntop
millet Oats Bermudagrass Orchardgrassa Corn Rye Johnsongrass Forage
sorghum Triticale Foxtail
millet Wheat Grain
sorghum Pearl
millet Signalgrass
Sorghum-sudan
hybrids Sudangrass
a Limited to only the northern one-third of Mississippi counties.
TABLE 2. FORAGES LEGUMES GROWN IN MISSISSIPPI.
Legumes
Warm-season Cool-season Warm-season
Cool-season Kudzu Alfalfa
Alyceclover Arrowleaf
clover Sericea
lespedeza Birdsfoot
trefoil Cowpea Ball
clover Red
clover Korean
lespedeza Berseem
clover White
clover Soybean Black
medic Striate
lespedeza Burclover Common
vetch Crimson
clover Hairy
vetch Hop
clover Persian
clover Rose
clover Subterranean
clover Winter
pea
A number of forage species are used for hay production. Forage crops are in one of three stages of growth: vegetative, reproductive, or dormant. The vegetative stage of growth is when the crop is comprised of leaves and stems. The reproductive stage of growth occurs when the crop is flowering or seedhead formation occurs. Dormant is when the plant is not actively growing, such as bermudagrass during mid-winter. In general, forage to be harvested for hay should be in the vegetative stage of growth, or just beginning its reproductive stage of growth. This is the point where forage quality and quantity for hay production is usually optimized. The ideal stage to harvest various forage crops is provided in Table 3. Grass-legume mixtures should be harvested according to maturity of the legume.
If forages are fertilized properly and cut at the proper stage of growth, nutritional needs for most classes of livestock can be met without supplemental feeds, other than a complete mineral supplement. Table 4 gives a comparison of some of the forage species commonly used for hay production in Mississippi. Again, cool-season grasses tend to be higher in quality than warm-season grasses, provided they are harvested at the proper stage of growth. Legumes tend to be higher in quality than either warm- or cool-season grasses.
TABLE 3. RECOMMENDED STAGE OF GROWTH FOR HARVESTING VARIOUS FORAGE CROPS1 AS HAY.
Alfalfa Bud
stage for first cutting, one-tenth bloom for second
and later cuttings. For spring seedings, allow the
first cutting to reach mid- to full
bloom. Orchardgrass
or Fescue Boot
to early head stage for first cut, aftermath cuts
at 4 to 6 week intervals as forage is
available. Red,
Arrowleaf, or Crimson Clovers Early
bloom. Sericea
Lespedeza Height
of 15 to 18 inches. Ryegrass,
Oats, Rye, or Wheat Boot
to early head stage. Soybean Mid-to-full
bloom and before bottom leaves begin to
fall. Annual
Lespedeza Early
bloom and before bottom leaves begin to
fall. Ladino
or White Clover Cut
at correct stage of growth for companion
grass. Hybrid
Bermudagrass 15
to 18-inch height for first cutting, harvest every
4 to 5 weeks or when 15 inches high. Bahiagrass Cut
every 21 to 30 days. Sudangrass,
Sorghum-Sudan Hybrids, Pearl Millet or
Johnsongrass Boot
stage or a height of 30 to 40 inches.
1J.D. Burns, J.K. Evans and G.D. Lacefield, "Quality Hay Production," Southern Regional Beef Cow Calf Handbook, SR5004.
There are differences between forage species regarding the tonnage they are capable of producing. Most species, when cut at the proper stage of growth, will provide adequate crude protein and energy content to meet animal nutritional needs for most classes of livestock.
Soil fertility is crucial to adequate forage production, stand persistence, and decreasing weed competition. Don't guess, soil test is the only way to know the fertility of a soil and determine what fertilizers are needed to successfully grow a forage crop. Recommendations given following a soil analysis are based on the assumption that all forages produced will be utilized for grazing, silage, or hay.
Pastures for hay or grazing should be fertilized and limed according to soil test recommendations. The pH scale is the measurement of the acidity or alkalinity of a particular soil. Soils with a pH reading of 7 are neutral, soils with a pH below 7 are termed acid, and those above pH 7 are basic or alkaline. Most forage crops perform best with a soil pH between 5.8 to 6.5, although many may grow at pH levels well outside this range. To adjust the pH of an acid soil to a more neutral level, lime should be applied according to soil test recommendations. Correcting soil pH improves the availability of several essential elements in the soil needed for plant growth, while it blocks or reduces the uptake of certain elements that can be toxic to plants. Lime comes in two different forms, dolomitic or calcitic, with calcitic the more common, and usually less expensive per ton in this area. Calcitic lime is a good source of calcium. Dolomitic limes supply both calcium and magnesium. When soil tests indicate that soils are low in magnesium, dolomitic lime should be used since it is a good source of magnesium and will also raise the soil pH. With either source of lime, the finer the grind or the particle size, the more quickly the lime will increase soil pH.
Major nutrients that are routinely measured in soil analyses are phosphorous and potassium. Tests for many secondary and micronutrients must be specifically requested. Secondary nutrients are calcium, magnesium, sulphur, and manganese. Micronutrients include manganese, iron, boron, copper, molybdenum, chloride, and zinc. Soil test results will show producers the status of each element requested in a soil analyses and allows them to formulate a fertilizer plan specific to individual fields. On permanent pastures, soil tests should be conducted every 2-3 years at a depth of about 2 to 6 inches. On hay fields and where annual forage crops are planted, soil tests should be taken annually at a 6-inch depth. Reliable soil test results enable a producer to purchase only what fertilizer is needed. Removal of the major nutrients by plants and from nutrient movement in the soil occurs at a ratio of approximately 4-1-4 (N, P, K, respectively) for hay land and 4-1-2 for permanent pastures. Legumes remove soil nutrients at a rate of approximately 0-1-3 from the soil, and N fertilizer is not required by legumes. Hay harvesting removes large amounts of nutrients, and removal rates increase with higher hay yields. These above figures are averages and should be used only when a soil analysis of the specific site is not available. Average nutrients removed by forage crops are presented in Table 5.
TABLE 4. AVERAGE HAY YIELD, CRUDE PROTEIN, AND TOTAL DIGESTIBLE NUTRIENT (TDN) CONTENT OF VARIOUS HAY CROPS1.
Approximate
nutrient level3 Type
of hay Annual
(A) or perennial (P) Average
hay yield (tons/ac)2 Crude
protein, % TDN,%
Cool-season
forages Alfalfa
(early bloom) P 3-6 17-22 57-62 Arrowleaf
clover A 2-3 14-17 56-61 Oats A 1-4 8-10 55-60 Orchardgrass P 2-5 12-15 55-60 Red
clover P 2-4 14-16 57-62 Rye A 1-4 8-10 50-55 Ryegrass A 1-4 10-16 56-62 Tall
fescue P 2-4 10-15 55-60
Warm-season
forages Annual
lespedeza A 1-2 14-17 52-58 Bahiagrass P 3-5 9-11 50-56 Coastal
bermudagrass (4 wks) P 5-8 10-14 52-58 Common
bermudagrass P 2-6 9-11 50-56 Dallisgrass P 2-5 9-12 50-56 Johnsongrass P 2-5 10-14 50-60 Pearl
millet A 2-6 8-12 50-58 Soybean A 2-3 15-18 54-58 Sericea
lespedeza P 1-3 14-17 50-55 Sudangrass A 2-6 9-12 55-60
1D. M. Ball, C. S. Hoveland and C. D. Lacefield. 1991 Southern Forages. PPI Press. Atlanta, GA.
2Assuming the crop is grown in an area to which it is adapted using recommended production and harvesting practices.
3Dry matter basis, assuming recommended production and harvesting practices and no excessive weather damage. Forage quality is affected by many factors.
TABLE 5. NUTRIENT REMOVAL BY HAY CROPS1.
Approximate
nutrients removed Crop Yield
(tons) N P
2 O5 K2O
Alfalfa2 5 2252 65 225 Coastal
bermudagrass 6 240 60 240 Red
clover2 - orchardgrass 4 1702 50 160 Tall
fescue 3 120 45 120
Per Acre
1Data compiled by J.K. Evans and Garry Lacefield, University of Kentucky.
2The legumes alfalfa and red clover do not require a source of fertilizer N.
In summary, lime makes required nutrients more available for
the plant by correcting soil acidity. Phosphorous is needed
in small amounts for growth, root growth, and winter
survival. Potassium is needed in larger amounts for winter
hardiness, plant persistence, and plant growth. Nitrogen is
the basic component in increasing yields. Nitrogen
fertilizer increases crude protein content and growth rate
of the plant. On some sandy soils, sulphur may be needed.
Each nutrient must be present in adequate amounts for forage
production and stand persistence.
Producers many times become overly concerned with yield of hay (bales or tons per acre) and neglect hay quality. While even poor quality hay can be utilized by cattle, protein and\or energy supplements will be needed to overcome nutrient deficiencies in the diet. Feeding poor quality hay significantly increases supplemental feed costs needed to meet animal nutritional needs. The difference in quality from poor, fair, and good hay may be only a matter of when the hay is harvested. A fair-quality hay could have been a good-quality hay had it been harvested 10 days earlier. Cutting 10 days earlier would improve forage quality with little appreciable reduction in total yield harvested. A seed head is important if you are selling seed, but not if you are making high-quality hay. Any time a plant goes from vegetative production to the reproductive stage of growth in its life cycle, forage quality decreases. This principle applies to all forages commonly grown in Mississippi. For optimum quality and quantity, grass should be harvested when it is in the boot stage and legumes (clovers and alfalfa) should be harvested in the early flowering (10% flower) stage. As plants reach the reproductive state of maturity and seed heads or flowers appear, growth rate slows, digestible protein declines, and fiber levels increase.
The new growth or regrowth of any forage following harvest is relatively high in quality as evidenced by the grazing patterns of cattle. Cattle tend to continually regraze the shortest grass in a pasture and leave the taller, stemmy, less palatable, and more mature grass. The early grass regrowth is short and lush, and cattle tend to graze it over and over again. Cows will usually eat the coarse stemmy grass when it is the only forage source available. When cattle are forced to graze poor-quality forage, they generally lose weight and experience nutritional stress. Keeping the grazing patterns of cattle in mind, we can plot the general relationship between forage quality and quantity (Fig. 1).
It
is known from the observed grazing pattern of cattle that
new growth is high in quality and palatability, but it is
also obvious that there is less total forage available to be
grazed. Having this relatively short, high-quality forage is
ideal for grazing, but not practical for hay harvest. As
time passes and plants mature, the total forage yield
increases, with an accompanying decrease in quality. The two
lines in Figure 1 cross at about 4 weeks of regrowth for
most forages. This generally corresponds to the boot or
early flowering stage of the warm-season grass forage
plants. This point, where amount and quality intersect, will
usually yield the greatest harvestable amount of TDN. Before
this intersection, there is high-quality forage, but
relatively low yield; and after this point, the forage is
lower in quality and higher in yield.
It is approximately at this intersection of forage quality and forage yield that the plant enters the reproductive stage of growth. The sole purpose of the plant at this point is to produce a seed and to protect the seed from being grazed as best it can. Studies with tall fescue have shown that the hemicellulose content is highest when the plant is in the reproductive stage of growth. While quality is relatively high, voluntary intake of the forage by grazing livestock is low with tall fescue in a reproductive stage of growth (Bagley et al., 1983). It seems that the plant, by increasing hemicellulose levels, is attempting to protect itself from grazing of the seed heads by livestock to increase its chance of producing seed to propagate itself. Hemicellulose has been identified as a plant characteristic most closely related (negatively) to voluntary intake (Van Soest et al., 1968).
Table 6 shows how alfalfa (often called the queen of all forage crops) decreases in energy and protein content as it increases in plant maturity. According to the table, alfalfa loses approximately 16% of its energy value and 33% of its protein value in only a 2-week period. A decrease in quality characteristics occurs in grasses and clovers as well, but not always as excessive in such a short period as in alfalfa. As the plant matures, lignin, an indigestible plant component, also increases (Van Soest et al., 1965) causing a decrease in palatability and digestibility. The combination of lower quality and lower palatability can result in dramatic decreases in animal performance. Blaxter et al. (1961) found that for each one percentage unit decrease in forage digestibility, animal gains decreased by 5%.
TABLE 6. THE EFFECTS OF ALFALFA STAGE OF GROWTH ON VARIOUS NUTRIENT CHARACTERISTICS.
Stage
of maturity at harvest of alfalfa TDN Crude Acid Mid-bud 64 21 <40 61 18 44 Mid-bloom 57 16 51 54 <14 56
%
protein %
detergent fiber1%
1Acid detergent fiber (ADF) is a measurement of some of the lesser digestible fiber portions of a plant, including lignin.
Hay Testing
"Don't Guess - Hay Test." Smell and color of hay reflect the conditions under which hay was harvested and stored, but tells you essentially nothing about quality. Bright green, clean-smelling 8-week-old mature Coastal bermudagrass hay will be readily consumed by cattle, but the TDN content will not produce the desired animal performance. Nelson et al. (1980) reported that daily gains of steers were .59, .28 and -.09 lb/day for bermudagrass hay that was harvested at 4, 6, or 8 weeks of regrowth. The only way to know the quality of hay is by having it tested for nutrient characteristics. Once the quality of hay is determined, proper supplementation can be determined. Efficient producers feed only supplements needed by the animal. The cost of overfeeding protein and energy, particularly protein, which is the most expensive ingredient on a per-pound basis, is one few producers can afford. Animals fatten on grass they harvest themselves, but producers generally attempt to maintain this body condition during winter with harvested forages and supplemental feeds.
Your county agent can show you how to take a hay sample, where to send them, and provide other needed information. Most counties have a hay probe to help ensure the collection of a good, representative hay sample. Along with your hay sample, send information to the forage testing lab about what class of livestock you intend to feed the hay and available supplemental feeds. You will receive recommendations showing which and how much of various supplements are needed to be fed in order to achieve a balanced diet for livestock. Collect hay samples from 8 to 10 bales in each cutting to ensure having a representative sample. If you test the hay in June and feed it in December, the quality may be lower if the hay is stored outside because of nutrient losses.
Table 7 gives the nutrient requirements for a 1,000-pound cow, either dry or lactating. Remember, a cow produces and maintains her weight based on how well her nutrient requirements are met. Feeding less than animal requirements will result in weight loss, decreased milk production, and may result in a longer interval between calving and rebreeding and a lower conception rate.
TABLE
7. DAILY NUTRIENT REQUIREMENTS OF A
1000-POUND COW
Dry
matter intake TDN
Crude
protein -------lb------- Dry
(6-9 mo. pregnant) cow 19.6 10.5 1.6 Lactating
cow (Avg. milking)
TABLE 8. THE AMOUNT OF VARIOUS SUPPLEMENTS REQUIRED WITH DIFFERENT QUALITY HAY TO MEET COW PRODUCTION REQUIREMENTS.
Hay
quality 1,000-lb 1,000-lb
lactating cows Corn CSM Corn CSM -------lb------ Excellent (58%
TDN, 12% CP)1 None None None None Good
(55%
TDN, 10% CP) None None 1.0 .5 Fair
(52%
TDN, 8% CP) .5 None 2.0 1.5 Poor
(48%
TDN, 6% CP) 1.5 1.0 3.0 2.5
1TDN = total digestible nutrients. CP =
crude protein.
dry cows
CSM += cottonseed meal (41%CP).
Table 8 shows the supplemental feeds required with different quality hays. The higher the quality, the less supplemental feed needed to balance the diet.
Table 9 shows the cost difference for a 150-day wintering period for cows fed different quality hays. The cost for wintering a cow with either fair or good-quality hay is less than when a poor-quality hay is fed. Only a laboratory analysis reveals the true nutrient content, enabling producers to make good business decisions regarding feeding the cow herd. Since hay is seldom harvested under ideal conditions, testing the hay allows producers to feed lower- quality hay early in the winter when nutrient requirements are lower for the cow herd, and save the better-quality hay for later in the winter when the cows have calved and their nutrient requirements have increased. Always feed the lowest-quality hay to the animals with the lowest production requirements. Also, balance hay with animal needs - generally, the youngest animals need the highest quality forage, followed by lactating cows and finally dry mature cows.
TABLE 9. SUPPLEMENT COST FOR DIFFERENT QUALITY HAYS FED BEEF CATTLE DURING A 150-DAY WINTERING PERIOD.
Amount
of supplement required 60
165 315 30 90 240 5.10 14.63 33.38
All hay is not the same. Table 10 shows the yearly results for hay samples analyzed through the forage testing laboratory in Mississippi for four different hay types. Alfalfa hay samples submitted had an average crude protein content of 17.99% and a TDN of 59.50%. These nutrient analyses data for alfalfa are high averages. Careful examination also shows some low crude protein (7.84%) and TDN (47.8%) values for alfalfa hay that were submitted. The crude protein and TDN in poor-quality alfalfa is no better than that in poor-quality ryegrass or bermudagrass hay. Forage type does not assure high quality, and neither does color or smell. From Table 10, one can see that all forages analyzed can have poor to excellent-quality hays. As shown in these hay sample data, there are occasions when bermudagrass hay can be of higher quality than alfalfa hay. People will pay a premium for alfalfa hay, but there are occasions when it is not worth this higher price. A good business decision would be to request a copy of the hay analyses prior to the purchase.
TABLE 10. AVERAGES AND RANGES OF ALL HAY SAMPLES SUBMITTED TO THE MISSISSIPPI CHEMICAL LAB, 1990-1994.
Forage
Alfalfa
Average 17.99 36.56 59.58 Common
bermudagrass
hay Average 9.89 41.21 56.44 Tifton-44
bermudagrass
hay Average 11.12 40.33 57.42 Ryegrass
hay Average 10.25 41.39 56.24
protein
fiber
Range
7.84-24.20
26.15-47.52
47.87-70.7
Range
4.57-21.48
29.90-56.15
39.80-69.0
Range
6.35-18.72
30.89-59.18
36.43-67.9
Range
4.60-25.35
21.67-56.50
39.42-78.2
The cost of purchasing, maintaining, and operating hay equipment is high. Basic equipment needed for any hay operation includes a forage cutter, rake, and a baler. In addition, a tractor with a minimum of 50 hp is needed. The larger round balers and mowers require larger tractors, often in the range 85 to 90-hp. Sizes and types of hay equipment should be appropriate to the acreage involved with hay production. The following sections discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of haying equipment to help producers make a more informed decision about these expensive purchases involved with producing hay.
A. Hay Mowers
Sickle Bar and Sickle Bar Mowers with Conditioners
The traditional piece of hay cutting equipment in most non-fire ant infested parts of the United States is the sickle bar mower. The sickle bar mower is relatively inexpensive and cuts hay cleanly by using a scissoring motion of the blades. The sickle bar uses a movable blade with replaceable cutting teeth that pushes the green forage against a stationary rasp bar that shears off the plants. When these blades are new and sharp, cutting is very efficient. The sickle bar can be combined with a pair of rubber rollers to form a mower-conditioner, which cuts, squeezes and crimps the forage that passes through after being cut. The sickle bar mower with conditioner became the premier machine used in hay cutting for many years and allowed the forage to cure faster.
There are disadvantages to using the sickle bar mower. These include problems with cutting hay that has been blown down and with teeth breakage. By carefully cutting blown-down forage against the direction the hay is down, a relatively good job can be done in harvesting. Rocks and sticks sometimes found in a hay field can cause breakage of blades, teeth, or both when they come in contact with the sickle bar cutter. Broken blades and teeth result in streaks of uncut hay in the hay field. Repair time of broken pieces is decreased by having the proper tools and replacements parts with the tractor, or an extra cutter bar in the hay field.
The most important cause for the demise of the sickle bar mower in lower parts of the South has been the infestation of hay meadows by the imported fire ant. If fire ants are heavily populated in a field, cutting efficiency with a sickle bar is usually low due to clogging of the bar or breakage of teeth. Tonnage harvested in these infested fields is reduced due to poor cutting efficiency, and the operator is irritated after removal of several of these mounds from his cutter. Because of the presence of fire ants in Mississippi and most of the humid Southeast, sickle bar cutters have almost become obsolete.
A 7-foot sickle bar costs approximately $2,500, while a 9-foot cutter with a conditioner costs approximately $11,000.
Disk Mowers and Disk Mowers with Conditioners
The disk mowers are the best mowing machines available for cutting hay in areas where fire ants are a problem. These mowers are fast, cut the forage evenly, and are relatively easy to maintain. One of the best features of the disk mower is that it can operate on uneven ground. The fast spinning rotary motion of the heads of the disk mower cuts through mounds with little problem. However, wet mounds may cause some accumulation of soil on the cutter bar. The blade sets of a disk mower are easily accessible and should be replaced and/or sharpened on a routine basis. If blades are broken or excessively worn, they can cause an imbalance in the cutter head, which may result in costly and unnecessary wear and repair on the cutter bar. Always keep shields and guards in place with disk mowers because blades rotate at high speeds and can occasionally sling objects that could cause injury. Disk mowers will cut anything that a sickle bar cutter can, only faster.
Disk mowers are more expensive to buy and maintain than sickle bar cutters. A 9-ft disk mower costs about $6,000; the addition of a conditioner increases the cost to about $16,000.
B. Rakes
The hay rake is the least expensive piece of haying equipment that will be purchased. There are several types of rakes, including side delivery models, wheel rakes, tedders, and rake tedders.
Side-Delivery Rake
The oldest type and a popular rake is the side-delivery hay rake. Both pull-type and three-point hitch side delivery rake models are available and both are effective. Most producers use the pull-type model. The rakes generally have four or five bars, each with tines that rotate either to the right or left. These bars are attached to a pair of rotating wheels, which spin as the rake wheels turn in ground-driven models. There are also three-point hitch models which are powered by the PTO. Pickup teeth are attached at approximately 8- to 10-inch intervals on each bar. The turning action of teeth, while skimming the ground, collects the cut hay and discharges it on the right or left side of the rake. Side-delivery rakes are heavy duty and last many years if properly maintained. These rakes handle long, short and intermediate length hays, forming a peaked, narrow windrow, which is more of an advantage for square than round balers. The cost of a single side-delivery rake is approximately $3,600.
Wheel Rakes
Wheel rakes are a relatively new innovation and can be bought as either single- or double-wheel models with three, four or five wheels to a side. Rotation of the wheel and hay collection into the windrow is a result of the ground to wheel-tooth friction. Rotation of the wheels (and teeth) results in the forage being picked up and windrowed on either the left or right side or a single windrow in double-wheel models. Rough terrain in pastures can result in poor ground-to-wheel tooth contact, which results in the loss of the turning or spinning action of the teeth and leads to poor pickup and windrowing. Making hay in rough terrain also increases maintenance costs of tines and other parts of haying equipment.
Wheel rakes may be the best rake for use with round balers. One can adjust the width of the double-wheel rake windrow to approximately match the width of the pickup reel on the round baler. This helps the driver of the round baler make a more dense and uniform bale with less effort and weaving action.
The wheel rake will probably require more maintenance and may not last as long in the hayfield as a side-delivery rake. However, the cost of the wheel rake is much less than that of a side-delivery model. Wheel rakes cost about $900 for a single, $1,700 for a double (3-wheel models). A wheel rake does not handle long-stemmed hays as well as does a side delivery rake and windy conditions can cause hay to accumulate on the wheels. Wheel rakes come in three-point hitch and pull-type models and, when operating properly, one rake will windrow about as much hay as a round hay baler can keep up with.
Tedders and Rake Tedders
Hay tedders fluff-up hay, allowing more air movement through the windrow so the forage dries more quickly. This quicker drying time allows hay to be baled sooner, giving hay a greener appearance and making the hay more marketable, although not necessarily higher in quality.
Most cattle producers do not always use a hay tedder since it is viewed by some as an unnecessary cost. However, hay sold to horse owners is generally tedded since appearance and color are often as important as quality characteristics in a hay sale. The tedder is especially helpful when windrowed grass hay has been rained on and must be spread to dry before it can be baled. A hay tedder is a must when spring hay crops, such as ryegrass or oats, are being cured because of their high moisture content and relatively poor drying conditions. The tedder can be used to windrow hay by reversing the rotation of the teeth and the resulting windrow is much like that of a side-delivery rake. Tedders typically cost $4,500 or more.
C. Balers
Hay balers make either square or round bales. Square baler models make either small (50 to 80 pounds) or large size (2,000 pounds) bales. Small square bales have been the standard in the hay industry for many years. The newest innovation is the large, square hay balers (800 to 2,000 pounds per bale) that is most often used for hay to be transported long distances. Most of the large, square balers are found in the western United States. These bales average 1,500 pounds or more and are most commonly comprised of alfalfa hay being fed in confinement livestock operations, particularly dairies.
Square Baler
The 50- to 80-pound square hay bale is the standard for most hay that is sold. While price of hay should be determined by quality and exact weight, square hay bales are often marketed based upon color and smell of the hay with little regard to the weight of each bale. Square balers compress hay in rectangular bales tied with wire or string. Square bales stack and store easily, but must be stored in a dry place as soon as possible after baling. Hay that has been rained on after being square baled will generally mold, lose quality, and heat up and can cause a barn fire. Square bales are labor-intensive and costly to handle, store, and feed. Small square bales primarily use human labor for hauling to the barn after baling and for feeding. Mechanical pickup and stacking units are available, but cost-effective only for large hay operations. If producers sell hay, square bales are usually the most profitable method to use because the price per pound of hay is maximized. Square bales can be handled without equipment and easily transported in relatively small quantities. The baler that makes the small square bales is relatively expensive, costing approximately $12,000.
Large square bales are most common in the western United States. These large bales may weigh 800-2,000 pounds and are most commonly alfalfa hay. The large, square bales store and transport more easily than large, round bales because they can be stacked tightly and more easily on a truck, rail car, or boat. They are subject to the same spoilage potential in humid conditions as the small square bale. Much of the hay put up in these large square bales is sold to large livestock farms, usually dairies, or shipped overseas. This baler costs approximately $20,000.
Large Round Baler
The large round baler, also a relatively recent innovation, has become the most popular method of baling hay. Small round balers were available about 30 years ago, but are not as popular as the large, round baler. There are many misconceptions associated with large, round hay bales, particularly their storage. Round bales shed water similarly to a thatched roof, but they cannot be stored outside and exposed to rain without losing quality and quantity. The amount of these losses depends on the amount of water penetrating from the top and the bottom of the bale. Most round bale sizes range from 800 to 2,000 pounds, but there are smaller-size balers available. Bale size may be dictated by feeding requirements, number of animals, as well as tractor size. The bigger the bale, the greater the horsepower requirement for baling and transportation. Large round hay bales differ by making either a hard or a soft center core. Research shows little difference in storage losses or in moisture loss after baling with either core-type system. However, greater leaf loss has been reported in the soft-core baling system when packaging alfalfa.
Most round balers use multiple wraps of twine to keep the bale together, with hemp and plastic twine the most common. Since the number of twine wraps around a bale is greater with round bales, twine diameter requirements are less than for twine used for square bales. Plastic twine will remain intact longer than will hemp twine during outside storage, but hemp twines biodegrade better in the pasture. Used plastic twine must be picked up after hay feeding in pastures to keep it out of pasture clippers and other machinery.
Round hay balers with a net wrap attachment were introduced in the mid-1980's. The net wrap may be the best material for round bales, particularly where outside hay storage must be used. Round bales with the net wrap are tight and dense and will shed some water when stored outside. If net wrap bales are elevated to avoid ground contact, little quality is lost with outside storage. The plastic netting must be removed from each bale before feeding to prevent problems with this material being in pastures and potentially getting tangled in machinery. This net wrap attachment adds approximately $2,000 to the cost of the baler.
D. Equipment Tips
Operation of any haying equipment should be preceded by a thorough evaluation of all pieces of machinery and tractors, including lubrication of all moving parts based on the maintenance schedule recommended by the manufacturer. Preventive maintenance should be the main objective of any hay operation. Breakdowns of hay equipment are inevitable because of the number of moving parts involved, but many breakdowns are due to lost bolts, loose parts, etc., and are preventable.
Having a minimum number of equipment operators will usually lead to less down time for equipment maintenance. An operator who regularly operates a particular piece of equipment knows when the sound of a machine changes, and unusual sounds may indicate an impending problem. Increased familiarity with a piece of machinery usually results in a better lubrication and maintenance schedule. Many equipment malfunctions start out being minor, but not recognizing/correcting the problem leads to greater problems.
Moisture meters are handy for those producers who wish to bale hay at a certain moisture percentage. For example, hay offered for sale to horse owners needs to be 15% moisture or less to reduce the potential for mold. Cattle are less sensitive to mold than horses, but excessive mold lowers palatability, if not quality, regardless of which class of livestock consumes the hay.
Leafy hays, such as alfalfa, will shed their leaves if raked while they are too dry. On the morning before baling, leafy forages (dry or nearly dry clovers, alfalfa and soybeans, etc.) can be windrowed early while the dew is still on the hay to minimize leaf loss. These hays will dry very quickly in the windrow. Mower-conditioners allow producers to windrow the hay when it is cut, permitting the hay to be baled without raking to reduce leaf loss. However, baling time may be longer because of less airflow through some parts of the windrow.
The density of bales can be varied with the ground speed of the tractor and baler. Generally, the slower the ground speed of a tractor, the denser the bale. If hay is slightly damp and the possibility of rain is increasing, you might increase the ground speed of the baler and put up a looser bale, which will allow moisture to escape more easily because of greater airflow through the bale. These loosely formed bales tend to "squat" more than bales with a higher density and should be stored inside if possible to reduce storage losses. Because the outside of the bale is not wrapped as tightly, water can get into the bale more easily than in a more tightly wrapped bale.
Bales packed too tightly in the middle often have an egg-shaped configuration. These bales tend to suffer greater deterioration because of a greater surface area exposure than a more square-cornered bale would have. Round balers pack hay from the outside inward.
The first round baler pickup patterns suggested a weaving pattern across the windrow. Most manufacturers may still suggest the weaving pattern to start the bale, but then suggest operators to travel approximately equal distances on each side of the windrow to create a uniform, sharp-edged bale edges.
A weed is defined as "a plant growing in a setting in which it is considered undesirable." In other words, a weed is any plant growing where it is not wanted. It is important to keep hayfields free of weeds that are nonnutritious, nonpalatable, and/or toxic to livestock. There are various types of weed problems. The most common weed problems are: 1) established perennial grass with broadleaf and/or grassy weeds, 2) established grass-clover with broadleaf and/or grassy weeds, and 3) newly planted grass, clover, or grass-clover with broadleaf and/or grassy weeds.
Weeds need to be controlled because they reduce the yield of desirable forage, lower forage quality, and compete with desirable forages for moisture, nutrients, sunlight, and space. Some weeds are toxic to livestock while others are simply unpalatable or can cause physical injury to livestock (i.e. thorns). In a grazing system, there are many weeds that cattle will avoid while grazing as long as there is ample desirable forage. However, when the weed is baled up as hay, cattle will consume it because they cannot easily select them out of the hay. Thus, weed control in hay meadows is even more critical than in a grazing system.
Weeds growing in association with a forage crop can aggressively compete with desirable forages for soil nutrients. Many t