Hay Harvesting System Losses and Drying Rates

Abstract

ABSTRACT Afield study was conducted to measure the effect of machinery sequences on the drying rate and material loss when harvesting alfalfa hay. Twenty-four combina-tions of four mowing, three late conditioning, and two raking treatments were evaluated under the relatively humid conditions of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. A cutterbar mower with a roll conditioner and a rotary mower with a flail conditioner provided faster drying than the rotary or cutterbar mowers alone. Late condi-tioning with a crimper was effective in speeding drying, but losses were greater. Tedding had little effect on dry-ing and both raking treatments provided similar effects on drying.