mowing grass for hay question

[Doc]

This isn't a question about cattle but it is a question about hay for cows.

I have a beautiful stand of grass this spring -- about seven acres worth -- that I would like to have cut for hay in round bales. Problem is I can't find anyone who will do it. Most of the big farmers think seven acres isn't worth the time.

I thought about cutting it, myself, and then have someone fluff and bale it, but all I have is a bush hog, not a hay cutter.

Really would like this grass for hay off my land so that I know what kind of hay my animals are eating. yes, I know it is far more $$, so no one needs to bring that up. My main question is whether or not the bush hog will cut it "right" for baling?

[topside1]

Why would someone come out rake and bale if you cut it? You said no one is interested now, why would they be interested then? Anyway a bush hog will chop the hay and yes some of it could be salvaged, but not to much. I'll bet you would yield 4 rounds off seven acres, but who would come out and bale 4 rounds....Good luck.

[agmantoo]

Doc,

Save the time and aggravation with the baling and start rotational grazing. There will be no one to depend upon and the fertilizer will be redistributed on the 7 acres. Where are you located?

[Doc]

topside 1: I usually get at least 20 4x5 bales. Enough for me.

[topside1]

Bush hogging?

[TroutRiver]

A brush hog will not cut the grass right, the cut grass will not lie evenly on the ground, it will be in "chunks" (not sure how else to put it) and therefore will not dry properly.

We are having a similar problem right now, the perfect time for first cut on the farm I work at was about a week and a half ago, but all the farmers that we hire to cut hay for us cut their own first, so ours is always a little bit late. We are thinking about buying some used haying equipment to be able to do it ourselves, but it is just so expensive. It's a frustrating predicament, seeing the grass so perfect and not being able to cut it. We do use rotational grazing, but have more grass than our cows can eat right now, and would like to not have to buy hay through the winter.

I agree, it's not likely that someone would be willing to bale, but not cut and bale. Are there any ag organizations in your area, or smaller commercial farms that you could ask around at? I'm not sure where you're located, but there's got to be someone willing to do it for the right price.

[Doc]

TroutRiver: we are in the exact same position. The farmers close by are cutting their own. By the time they get to us, our grass will be weedy and seedy. There aren't that many around here anymore, either (central NC).

[arcticow]

For 7 acres, if you could borrow a sickle-bar mower and a side delivery rake, just put it up in a stack... sure, you will lose some to weather, but you will have hay. And it will be cheaper. You lose some off round bales anyway. Just my opinion.

[Tad]

I know a guy who cuts hay with a bush hog, he gets under it with an angle grinder and gets it good and sharp and then goes over it with a tedder to break up the clumps. I don't know what kind of grass it is but we can get 10 bales/acre in good hay in 4x4 so I am sure it would be worth your time.