After the spontaneious combustion thread i am wondering what methods you use to determine if alfalfa is dry enough to bale?
I was told that if you can still scratch the skin off the stems with a fingernail it isn't dry enough. Never had bales ignite using this method, but have had a few get some moldy spots inside.
I was recently told by an oldtimer who was a baeling contractor for years that he took a piece of stem between his thumb and indexfinger in both hands and made three circles with one of his hands, if the stem breaks within three twists its dry enough, if it doesn;t break completely off it isn't ready yet.
Comments?
I was told that if you can still scratch the skin off the stems with a fingernail it isn't dry enough. Never had bales ignite using this method, but have had a few get some moldy spots inside.
I was recently told by an oldtimer who was a baeling contractor for years that he took a piece of stem between his thumb and indexfinger in both hands and made three circles with one of his hands, if the stem breaks within three twists its dry enough, if it doesn;t break completely off it isn't ready yet.
Comments?