|
Central Kansas | We have discussed this several times, with Bill Wilson being an early advocate of the practice. This was a cut/paste from "Hay Growers Notebook". The info is:
Wide Swaths Improve Hay Quality
To make hay dry fast and minimize quality losses in the field, adjust your cutting machine to leave the widest-possible swaths. Studies have shown that hay left in narrow swaths or windrows loses water-soluble carbohydrates, or energy, through respiration. Wide-swath hay needs less time to reach 60-65% moisture, the level at which respiration stops. In one study, 13% more milk was produced from first-cutting alfalfa laid in wide vs. narrow swaths. That study was with haylage, but some of the wide-swath advantages apply to dry hay, too.
One researcher recommends that, for optimal drying for haylage, swaths should be at least 80% of the cutterbar width. Most mower-conditioners and windrowers can't do that, in part because the conditioning rolls are too narrow. A few growers have modified their machines, removing those rolls. That works for haylage, but conditioning is beneficial during the latter stages of drying for hay production.
For more information, visit counties.cce.cornell.edu/rensselaer/Agriculture/alfalfa_research.htm | |
|