Table of Contents
Therefore, the best time to do any cutting is when grasses have reached what is called the “late boot stage”. This stage is typically reached after 6 to 8 weeks of growth in the spring or 6 to 8 weeks after a previous cutting. The “late boot stage” is when the seed head of the grasses first pops out of the sheath.
What month is second cut hay?
In late July or August, weather permitting, this second stand (a/k/a second cut) is harvested, dried and baled. Usually, second cutting is a lighter harvest that yields fewer bales than first cut, when the grass is going sort of wild, given rain and sun in the right mix.
Is 2nd cutting hay good for horses?
Second Cutting This is the most common cutting of hay that horse owners give to their horses, and for a good reason. It is greener and more substantial, with more leaves and a sweet smell. This hay contains a lot of protein and fat, so it is excellent for horses that exercise.
Does second cut hay have more sugar?
Second cutting will be leafy but doesn’t have the higher sugar content. But second cutting “looks” better. Most of the time, grass founder is caused by over-feeding, under-utilizing the horse–they just don’t burn up the calories! IMO, most horses do better on lesser quality feed, but more of it.
How tall should hay be second cut?
For simplicity we are going to talk about bermudagrass. The first cutting in the spring should be when grass has greened up and reached 12 – 16 inches tall. This should clean up all the old growth of winter weeds and such. Then each subsequent cutting is at 3.5 to 5 week intervals.
What is the difference between 1st cut and 2nd cut timothy hay?
2nd cutting is called “second” because it is the hay that is harvested after the 1st cutting. 2nd cutting Timothy Hay is a darker green color and is leafier and more tender with high levels of nutrition. It takes FarmerDave more time, effort and gentle care to make 2nd cutting Timothy Hay properly.
What is the best time of day to cut hay?
Though starches and simple sugars accumulate during the day, a substantial amount of these carbohydrates are used up during the night for growth and maintenance (via the processes of respiration). Therefore, cutting the crop at night will likely maximize the sugar in the crop, at least at the time of cutting.
Is 1st or 2nd cut hay better for horses?
Timothy must be harvested in the pre- or early-bloom stage to ensure a high nutrient content. The first cutting usually has a higher weed content, and quality decreases after the second cutting, so the second cutting is usually the best to feed.
What is the difference between 1st 2nd and 3rd cut timothy hay?
To begin with, 1st cutting is the first hay cut from that field for the year. It tends to be more coarse and have more grasses in it. 2nd cutting is usually greener in color and has a sweeter smell. And lastly, 3rd cutting is very thick and rich.
When should grass hay be cut?
On average the entire process of mowing, raking and baling hay takes 3 days—in good weather. Therefore, pastures should be cut when a window of at least 3 days of sunny, dry, hot weather can be expected. Some farmers cut on the last day of a rainy spell in order to maximize the number of hours of drying time.
Which cutting of hay is best for cows?
Producers should strive to harvest 1st cutting hay in the early heading stage. Hay harvested at this stage should meet the nutrient requirements for late pregnant cows. Second cutting hay should be used to feed lactating cows. The date of 1st cutting will be highly dependant on the type of spring weather.
What hay is lowest in sugar?
If you are looking for low-sugar hay for a metabolic horse, it’s all about how the hay is grown and managed. Teff can be as low as 5% sugar and the only other hay that’s this low in sugar is bluegrass straw—which is also used a lot for metabolic horses.”Jun 26, 2020.
Is second cut hay good for goats?
Second cutting is generally the preferred hay for goats. It has less weeds, is finer-stemmed, fertilized, and grown during the optimal growing season. In areas with longer growing seasons, a third cutting or even higher may be available. Late season cuttings have the highest leaf to stem ratio.
Is it okay to cut hay early in the morning?
With all of these factors in mind, it is best to cut hay when there is the greatest opportunity for successful drying, or early in the morning after the dew has dried off. As the old saying goes, “make hay while the sun shines!”Oct 3, 2017.
How soon can you bale hay after cutting?
Proper dry matter content for chopping haylage can often be achieved within 24 hours as compared to three to four days for dry hay.
How do I know if my hay is dry enough to bale?
Breaking stems in half or twisting them in a circular motion to see if the stems break cleanly will give farmers the go-ahead to bale. “If all the stems break and crack that’s an indication that the hay is cured and then you can rely on the moisture test that you’re getting from the probe,” Yaremcio said.
