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Video: How to Successfully Make Dry Hay?
Video: How to Successfully Make Dry Hay?

This video discusses best practices for successfully making dry hay.

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Written by Maxime Leduc
Updated over 4 months ago

This video discusses best practices for successful dry hay production.

Here are the key points to remember:

Choice of species

  • It is important to choose species that are adapted to the needs of animals and to the climatic conditions of your region.

  • For grasses, preference may be given to tall fescue, dactyl, bluegrass, sorghum and sudangrass.

  • For legumes, alfalfa is an interesting choice.

Cup moment

  • The moment of cutting is crucial to obtain quality hay. Plants should be cut at the appropriate vegetative stage, depending on the species.

  • For grasses, it is generally recommended to cut them off at the beginning of flowering.

  • For alfalfa, it is advisable to cut it before flowering.

Harvesting and storage conditions

  • It is important to harvest hay under favorable weather conditions, with dry and sunny weather.

  • Tedding is an important step in drying hay quickly and preventing mold from developing.

  • Hay should be stored in a dry, well-ventilated area.

Hay quality

  • The quality of hay depends on several factors, such as the maturity stage of the plants, the time of cutting, harvesting and storage conditions.

  • Good quality hay is high in protein, fiber, and low in moisture.

  • It is important to have your hay analyzed to find out its nutritional value.

Risks of spontaneous combustion

  • Improperly stored hay can ignite spontaneously.

  • It is important to monitor the temperature of stored hay and to take steps to avoid spontaneous combustion.

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