[AT] Loose hay/round balers

[dfolske at nccray.net]

I generally like to bale at 16 to 20% moisture. At 20% I will get some staining on the 
belts and minor build up on the rollers. Anything more than that and the bales will 
heat enough to get mold throughout the bale. At 20% I'll get an occassional moldy 
spot but never any serious loss. Anything less than 16% and you start losing too 
many leaves. I've never tried any of the preservatives.
> 
> I have baled prairie hay as soon as an hour after it was cut.  I have  baled 
> wheat hay that ran the sap over the rollers and dripped as It was  baled..  It 
> smelled like silage.  I have used that stuff that is  supposed to let you 
> bale wetter.  The cows did not like the hay.   However if I bale it about half 
> green, both cows and sheep will run over you to  get it.  My neighbors say I 
> bale hay way too green.  However, when  they are up at 3 in the mroning baling, 
> and I am having a good nights  sleep..  I ahve watched the leaves of alfalfa 
> just fall off their balers,  and mine are still intact..  
>  
> I don't know the percentage of moisture, but it is wet.   I let  the bales 
> stay in the field about 2 weeks before hauling.  However I have  dug into 
> several bales that smell like silage and they are cool inside.   Rye smells the 
> best....
>