Raking hay in the mornings

[herofan]

For you guys in Ky or similar areas, what is the earliest in the morning you can usually start raking hay under average conditions of no rain, the ground isn’t wet, the sun is out, and there is morning dew?

 

[TennesseeTuxedo]

9:35 CST

 

[M-5]

When dew burns off. 10 or 11 according to how heavy

 

[TennesseeTuxedo]

When dew burns off. 10 or 11 according to how heavy

Too late.

 

[herofan]

When dew burns off. 10 or 11 according to how heavy

Too late.

Why is it too late?

 

[TennesseeTuxedo]

When dew burns off. 10 or 11 according to how heavy

Too late.

Why is it too late?

In all honesty, it's going to depend on your area and the conditions which will vary depending on the amount of dew that fell that morning, the humidity and the weather itself i.e. sunny, cloudy, windy etc...

There is not pat answer to your question you just have to go with what you see and feel in the hay itself. I don't mind a hint of moisture when we begin rolling but that's just me.

 

[A.J.]

Usually after 11 here if you want the dew off of it. As others have said will depend on the field area too if there is much sunlight that gets there or not.

 

[millstreaminn]

When I do wrapped hay, I will rake it the night before I bale it. As a matter of fact I have 7 acres down now that I will rake when I get home today and bale tomorrow. If I am trying for dry day, I usually rake around 11 am the day of baling, but as TT said, it will depend on how much dew we had.

 

[M-5]

Just started raking here at 11

 

[Nesikep]

I like some dew on the hay when I'm raking.. keeps the leaves on it.. Once it has been dry once (it's not GREEN anymore), it'll dry well even if it's not on the top of the windrow anymore

 

[Silver]

I like some dew on the hay when I'm raking.. keeps the leaves on it.. Once it has been dry once (it's not GREEN anymore), it'll dry well even if it's not on the top of the windrow anymore

Exactly!
In a perfect world I like to rake it just before it’s cured, so it will finish curing in time to bale it same day. Alfalfa leaves are precious.

 

[ddd75]

in ky with how dry it is and how that sun comes out I would usually be out around 9 - 10 to start raking.

 

[ClodHopper37869]

I work by myself, so if I got a lot to do, I'll start early, tyres will still be wet, by the time I get it raked say 1 or 2PM, it will be dry enouff to roll.

 

[snoopdog]

It depends , I like it a little drier with certain rakes versus others .

 

[bse]

i started this morning at 8 30, shady spots were real wet, but by the time I rolled at 5 this afternoon it was in great shape. like was said will depend on the time untill rolling.