Making your own hay for livestock

[Oakroot]

I cut with a scythe and let dry until the grass is crisp but before it sun bleaches. Then I cram as much as possible into a big Rubbermaid type tote smashing it down with my feet as I go. I lay out two lengths of baling twine parallel and then turn out the hay onto the twine. Then using a knee I press it down as hard as possible and knot the twine. This makes a decent bale. Not super square but easier to work with the loose and way easier to carry. I don't use this as my main feed as my pasture is unimproved and not great nutrition. But I know I can feed alfalfa pellets for nutrition and this for the long stems needed to keep rumans healthy.

 

[bonbean01]

Sounds good Oakroot! And glad you mentioned the LONG stems to keep rumens healthy!!!! Just raking up lawn grass after using a riding mower is not a good idea...grass is cut too short...but the chickens like it and all the bugs hiding in there

 

[secuono]

I cut with a scythe and let dry until the grass is crisp but before it sun bleaches. Then I cram as much as possible into a big Rubbermaid type tote smashing it down with my feet as I go. I lay out two lengths of baling twine parallel and then turn out the hay onto the twine. Then using a knee I press it down as hard as possible and knot the twine. This makes a decent bale. Not super square but easier to work with the loose and way easier to carry. I don't use this as my main feed as my pasture is unimproved and not great nutrition. But I know I can feed alfalfa pellets for nutrition and this for the long stems needed to keep rumans healthy.

Did you make a blog post or something similar about this??
I found the exact thing looking for how others make their own hay, found very little, but did find a page of someone stomping hay in a bin and then tying it off with 4 twines.

 

[secuono]

Oh, best to cut grass before it goes to seed.

 

[DonnaBelle]

OSU had an evaluation of hay storage on their weekly farm program here in Oklahoma called SUNUP.

Hay that is left outside and in the elements and sitting on the ground loses 70% of it's nutrient value.

Hay that is left outside but covered with a tarp retains about 50% of it's nutrient value,

Hay that is stored on raised floor, not on dirt, and under cover, tarp or building retains about 75% of it's nutrient value.

Hay has to be dried for 3 days before bailed. If it's bailed with any moisture it will mold and be unusuable.

DonnaBelle

 

[Livestock lover]

Oh, best to cut grass before it goes to seed.

Gotch ya!