Wider Swaths for Better Hay?
Could wider swaths mean better hay and haylage? Researchers are beginning to think so and many hay producers agree, as well.
This new system involves harvesting high-moisture forage by cutting it in the morning, harvesting it approximately seven hours later, and then putting it into a silo before the sun goes down. This method, according to those who use it, has resulted in the following:
- Shorter wilting periods
- Lower respiration losses
- Higher sugar and starch content
- Better forage quality
- A rise in digestible energy
- Improved fermentation
- Less damage from rain
- Significant improvements in milk production for dairy farmers
Cutting hay into wide swaths is not a new idea. Long ago, before conditioners, this was the norm. However, as the size of conditioners and mowers grew, swaths and windrows became smaller and denser. Now things seem to be coming full circle as more attention is being paid to the importance of properly drying forage. Lowering moisture levels reduces starch and sugar loss. It also helps to preserve more total digestible nutrients (TDN).
All these improvements are due to the use of a wider swath. Hay producers are coming around to the idea that conditioners have little impact at the initial drying stage, In fact, most early moisture loss happens from the leaf. All of this means that quality and TDN are maximized when wider swaths are used. Research has shown that conditioning can slow down wilting speed at higher haylage moisture levels. Therefore, you should definitely consider cutting wider swaths if you are harvesting high moisture forage.
Of course, if you are harvesting dry hay, conditioning is still vital. That’s because dry down needs to continue to dry up to a 20 percent moisture level. Wiling silage strategies, therefore, will not be the same as dry hay production. In these cases, conditioning stems is crucial but wider swaths have advantages in these cases, as well.
Hay producers who are considering a new mower or mower conditioner should look at the width of the swath in comparison to cutting width. Many mower-conditioners can’t adjust to 80 to 90 percent width swath. In most cases it is best that your swath be more than 70 percent. It also is important to remember that if there are no stems on grass, that grass should be formed in wider swaths. If they are not formed in wide swaths the forage will settle together, dry at a slow rate, and be hard to separate for quick drying.
It is preferable to rake when haylage moisture levels are approximately 70 percent and you should not harvest more acres than you can harvest. That’s because the forage can get to dry to silo.
In dry hay alfalfa, it is recommended that you rake or merge swaths when levels of moisture reach 40 percent. That level drops to 25 percent in grasses. Raking a full 24 hours after mowing works best. Raking will increase the drying rate again because the unexposed portions will be turned.
While driving over cut swaths with the tractor does not shave a great impact on drying, it could lead to soil contamination and unfavorably alter fermentation. This is especially true when field conditions are wet or damp. In such cases, driving over with a wide swath is preferable to making a windrow to steer clear of driving on the hay.