12/29/15 Test moisture of hay with 100% accuracy!

Once you have mowed your grass and are considering baling, the only information you need to start baling hay is what is the moisture content of my crop?Ӕ
Bernard Adam, with 25+ years of experience in baling hay and haylage, recommends these SIMPLE steps to check the moisture level of your grasses. The only supplies you need are things you already have in your home and farm. A sample of hay, a digital scale, a microwave, water, glasses, paper and pencil and 15 minutes of time!
Heres how:
First pick a sample of hay, perhaps one handful from the 3rd windrow. Next, weigh the sample by putting it in a plastic bag and placing it on a digital weigh scale. You need 50-60 grams of hay. Record that weight. Then place the bag of hay in your MICROWAVE unsealed with a glass of cold water next to it. Set for 15 minutes and start the microwave. Each time the water begins to boil, replace it with a new one. This should take about 3 glasses. Then weigh your sample again on the scale and record it. Run in microwave for two more minutes and weight the sample again. This formula will get you your needed numbers. Final weight / (divided by) original weight= dry matter %
Once you have your number you can decide to bale now or when the time is right. They recommend when you reach 40% or more dry matter (60%) to start baling! For Legumes you need 45% dry matter or 55% moisture.
If you wish to save even more time and money you can talk to us about an inline or single Balewrapper, baler, bale mover, bale feeder, bale grabber, or any variety of job you need to do on your farm. Call us today 866-682-5514.