Cut of Hay The Ultimate Guide for Flawless Harvest

The big question on every farmers mind this time of year is When should I cut my hay? Well this question can be answered in many different ... First cut in an area with defined seasons is typically going to have higher fiber content and fewer calories the later it is cut. One is to mow when it's at its highest quality and the other is with rapid dry down. The latter factor is the more important of the two. Though ... Hay is a cutting of grass and meadow plants which are then dried and stored. It is used as overwinter feed for livestock while the pasture is ... In this post, we will talk about how we time our cutting to capture the optimal nutritional value, the first step in turning fresh grass into delicious hay. Forage experts agree that harvesting in the late boot to early head stage maximizes quality and quantity. First cutting Timothy Hay is typically tall and thick when it has matured enough to be harvested, which results in hay that is crunchier and ... As plants mature, their lignin content (a component of fiber) increases and traps the nutrients within indigestable cell walls. Although cutting hay early will ... Hay that has been cut and then rained on can lose quality in four ways. These include: 1) leaching of soluble carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, 2) ... How tall should hay be before cutting? · Cut alfalfa and clover at a minimum of 3 inches · Cut other grasses at a minimum of 4-6 inches.