One of the most important questions in any hay or baleage operation is: "When do I mow?" The timing of your mow affects not just drying time, but also feed value, leaf retention, and baling efficiency—especially in wet bale systems.
Here’s a look at what we’ve learned from the field, and how to optimize your mowing practices for better results.
Mow to Bale in 24 Hours? Yes, It’s Possible
In most conditions, with normal sunshine and drying weather, we’ve found that a 24-hour window from mowing to baling is ideal. This timeline helps maintain forage quality, minimize nutrient loss, and avoid over-drying, which can cause leaf shatter and reduce digestibility.
In our wet bale systems, that 24-hour drying cycle has proven to be consistent and reliable for a wide range of forage crops.
Windrow Management: Go Wide for Better Drying
The way you lay down your windrows has a big impact on drying time. Our go-to method? Spread the windrows as wide as possible, matching the pickup width of your baler. Wider windrows expose more surface area to sunlight and airflow, helping the forage dry evenly and efficiently.
“We try to spread our windrows basically as wide as we can pick up with the baler most of the time.” - The Forage Guy
This small adjustment can shave hours off your drying time and reduce the need for tedding or flipping.
Tedding: Use Sparingly (Especially for Soybeans)
While tedding can be a useful tool, especially during humid weather or uneven drying, it’s not always necessary—and in some cases, it can do more harm than good.
When it comes to soybeans, for example, we avoid disturbing the windrows at all. Tedding soybean hay can result in excessive leaf damage, which significantly reduces protein content and feed value.
That’s why we prefer to drop the windrow directly from the mower and bale it as-is, when conditions allow.
Stock Up on Baling Supplies Before Mow Season
Before you hit the field, make sure your equipment is ready and your supplies are stocked. At Agzaga.com, you can shop everything you need to mow, rake, and bale with confidence, including:
Agzaga.com is built for busy farmers who need gear fast.
Final Thoughts
So, when should you mow? In most cases, aim for 24 hours before baling under normal drying conditions. Spread your windrows wide, avoid unnecessary disturbance (especially with sensitive crops like soybeans), and be ready to adapt based on the weather.
For more insights into forage management, bale timing, and harvesting best practices, check out forageguy.com—a trusted resource for all things hay and baleage.
