Corn stalk question

[FarmboyBill]

Can corn stalks that have been brush hogged be side raked into windrows and baled. Also, Will doing this hurt the rake bows with the standing cut off stalks?? Would an old time stalk cutter be better or not.

[haypoint]

Corn stalks can be baled. They can mold into a stinking mess, too. Chopped corn stalks can be raked. They'll likely have plenty of dirt in with it, too.
Since I have no idea what you intend to do with baled shreaded corn stalks, I can't advise if an old time chopper would be better. You were refering to the stationary chopper that you feed the stalks into?

[uncle Will in In.]

I've done it with a rotary mower pulling an old side delivery rake behind it. Just don't put the rake any lower than nessesary. It will get the fodder without digging up dirt and roots. I drove so the rake would put two rounds together. Don't bale damp or green fodder.

[Ralph in N.E.Oh]

When we have a long dry Fall, folks around here do indeed bale their stalks. My biggest fear would be mold, but if you can get them dry enough, I think kthey would make good feed or bedding or both.

I plan to use a binder on some of mine this coming year. The hope is then to use a husker/shredder on the fodder. I could use it when its time to make a grist. The corn "husked" for my grist and the shredded stalks for feed and bedding for my sheep, goats and cattle.

If you can get your hands on a "Morrison's Feed & Feeding" book, there is a good amount of information on corn stover, fodder etc.

Lastly, most guys here round bale their stalks, but I have seen one guy bale them with a New Holland square baler..a 273 hayliner I believe.

[rambler]

A stalk chopper (flail mower) might be better, but the brush hog will do. Try not to pulverize the stalks, you don't want them too small for round baling.

The rake will come out ok. It is a little harder than soft hay, but it works. Keep the rake up a little. You aren't trying to collect every single stem, or you get a lot of dirt too. Wheel rakes are popular for this job.

Makes good cattle feed (with other stuff) or bedding. Be sure they are dry.

--->Paul

[FarmboyBill]

Was the old time stalk cutter, that had a 1/2doz sharp blades on it around 3 to 5ft long, and they were pulled across the field,k the knives cutting the stalks against the ground. AND I have 2 M & M Feed and Feeding books, early 30s and 40s. I to think about getting a binder and cutting the corn and then getting a husker shredder, and doing it that way, but here I can get 2 crops off the same land, so I would have to be getting with it, as I intend to run haygrazer after the corn.

[rambler]

Thought you said brush hogged.

You mean rolling stalk cutter?

Hum. I saw those in pictures, they were not common up this way. I'd wonder if the stalks would get aweful dirty from that process.

--->Paul