How to know if Hay is Ready to Bale

In this video, I talk about the different ways to check how dry hay is. These methods are what I typically use and have had success with. Using these, you will know if it is ready to bale or if it needs more time to dry.
Sorry for the wind noise and the blurriness of some of the shots.

[@samb7652]

I'm in my middle 60s and I learned something today! Thx

[@hankhill5498]

Beautiful scenery in the background

[@logear9015]

Thanks

[@outhear]

Good tips. Thorough explanation. Thanks buddy!

[@logear9015]

No problem. Thanks.

[@GosselinFarmsEdGosselin]

Crank test.
Pack it into a chunk of PVC pipe and use a probe.
Before the pipe idea, I used to wrap it up really tight and stick the probe in, works pretty good.....
Biggest thing is, your gut feeling!!!!
We've tested and tested and tested.... I don't care anymore what the testers say, if my gut feeling is to wait, we wait...
If my guts agree with the tester, we bale!!!
We have meters on our balers too..
They always read high, as in 3 or 4 times higher than it really is... But we know the safe readings, any questions and I watch the baler monitor, if loads and pressures are where they should be, then we keep baling.
Good video!!!
Hopefully it will help keep someone from burning their barn down!!

[@logear9015]

Thanks for the comment!

[@qualityassurance9523]

Hey good job beautiful country thank you for posting we are trying to start growing alfalfa and you gave us some great tips for checking the moisture levels.

[@logear9015]

Thanks! Glad it helped you.

[@What..a..shambles]

Just what I was looking for 👍🏻

[@logear9015]

Good. Glad it helped.

[@JMPrudomTube]

Hope your 2021 season goes well. Been dealing with lawn long grass from new property and needed that refresher. I broke the grass so it dries earlier. 2 weeks later and I'm pitching / raking early this season. North England btw. Yorkshire farming heritage. I'll have to see if any my father cousin's have advice as it's their livelihood. I find some old methodology really useful. Saves being reliant on modern hardware that can malfunction in farming conditions easily. Moisture and noise n vibrations usually breaks digital equipment early. Hope you find good info on farming tech. I mention that just because from scenery I can see similar terrain to the valley and Moore farmers of northern England and many nearby regions. Like Ireland and scotland. Only good tip I know is to relate your terrain to somewhere else and take in their knowledge.

[@logear9015]

Thanks for the comment

[@richardjohnson5883]

We usually get a handful and wring it to see if the stems break.

[@ramonebarker9613]

Thanks, very educational👍

[@logear9015]

Thanks. Im glad you enjoyed it.

[@GeigerFarm]

The background is beautiful! BTW my moisture tester on Vermeer super M wouldn’t tell you the truth even if you asked nicely 😉

[@logear9015]

Thanks!

[@AnnabelleC0306]

Lol

[@dgoatranch]

I must have that same moisture meter in my baler.

[@GeigerFarm]

@@dgoatranch 😂👍🏻

[@stewfield5385]

Dear running in the background at 2:40 sorry twist test but you’ve been photobombed

[@casekorleski5319]

i saw it too lol

[@bigears4426]

At 20 percent they'll sweat for sure , big rounds are better at 12 or 13 if putting in a shed , leaving outside they can be a bit damper

[@danielthomason5685]

18% is max for small squares, 15% is max ideal moisture according to university of Tennessee

[@thegoatstore7814]

Thank you sir
baling tonight

[@logear9015]

No problem. Glad it helped you.

[@rodmanwaring5715]

Guarantee this guy has burned a few barns 😂