From Grass to Gold The Ultimate Hay Cutting Guide

DAFWA's research has shown that the best time to cut hay is when plants are at the watery ripe (Z71) stage. Dr Malik said cutting hay ... First cut hay is coarser than second cut, this is because the spring growth (rain, etc.) leads to thicker stems and stalks and heavier leaves. The soil nutrients literally walk off the farm in the form of crops, in this case hay. Personally, unless it benefits you in some way, I would ... Third cut is a very soft and heavy leafy hay. It should be a darker green than 1st and 2nd cut. It's higher in protein and fat content and ... 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) ... 1st cutting is the first hay cut from that field for the year. It tends to be more coarse and have more grasses in it. 2nd cutting is usually greener in color ... Normally, 1st cutting hay harvested by late May-early June (eastern VA) or early-mid May (western VA) produces acceptable quality (See chart for hay from 1998- ... Small Pet Select's 2nd Cutting Timothy Hay if you're looking for the gold standard of fresh hay. Great for healthy, adult small animals. 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. Hay, be it alfalfa, grass or grass-mix, dries in three stages. Cut hay usually has a moisture rating of around 80 per cent. If dry hay (14 to 16 per cent) is ...