The largest factor affecting forage drying is sunlight. Thus, a previous article I wrote showed that putting forage into a wide swath following mowing had the largest effect on drying rate. Tedding and inverters can fluff the swath to enhance drying. Rakes and mergers will narrow the swath into a windrow for the baler or choppers and also expose some wetter material to sunlight to enhance drying.

The highest milk-producing cow produced 72,000 pounds in 305 days. That is more than three times the national average. Some stockers have more than 4 pounds per day gain on forage. Such high animal performance requires re-designed forage.

The following came in response to the article 'Drying forage for hay and haylage' which appeared in the May 2011 edition. Click here to read the original article.

The drought has stressed most of the crops we are growing. Most farmers got at least one cutting (and often two). Then stress has reduced growth over the last month.

Haymaking conditions in the spring are often poor and hay can be rained on or left lying in the field for prolonged time periods due to cool and humid conditions which reduces drying rates. The long drying periods with high humidity allow field growth of mold on the hay.