First CUTTING and TEDDING of HAY in Kentucky

In this video I explain a little about the machines we use to make hay and why we cut our hay when we do. Below is a link to a forage study done by the University of Kentucky that I reference to that helps explain the nutritional value of your hay as the grass progresses into the year.
We appreciate you joining us on the channel! Be sure to leave us a comment below and subscribe to the channel so you can stay up to date with what we're doing out here on the farm!
UK AG STUDY
www2.ca.uky.edu/agcomm/pubs/ag...
#hay #haycutting #johndeere #7400 #2440 #newholland #7230 #discbine #spring #kentucky #bluegrass #ukagriculture #haystudies #feed #forage #quality #health #nutrition

[@saracurrans3911]

Love the dog and the goat at the beginning adorable

[@cripplecreekfarmsky]

We sure love them! Thanks for tuning in!

[@hillbillyfranks]

Just subscribe to you Machines came a long ways I remember when they only had sickle bar mowers And that's a long time ago Good video I like it see you on the next one

[@cripplecreekfarmsky]

Thanks for subscribing to the channel! See you on the next one!

[@hickory40cattlecompany96]

Very interesting!

[@cripplecreekfarmsky]

Thanks! I hope it was beneficial for you in some way. Thank you for watching!

[@georgep2428]

The discbine is a fast and efficient tool to cut hay

[@cripplecreekfarmsky]

Yes it is. We absolutely love it!

[@ShaleHollow]

Love the info and observations at 7:00, pretty awesome!

[@cripplecreekfarmsky]

Appreciate the kind words and support!

[@bigteddy66]

Mower conditioners really do make a difference to the drying times especially in a heavy crop.

[@cripplecreekfarmsky]

Absolutely! The first year we used a simple rear three point cutter to put everything down (we did not have a tedder either). It was typically a full 3 days before we would rake and bale back then. Now, with the discbine and tedder, we've almost eliminated an entire day in the process. Thank you for watching and appreciate you reaching out!

[@farmboy_907]

You guy's got some nice equipment how many tractors you got and what models?

[@cripplecreekfarmsky]

Appreciate that! Right now we are only operating with the 1980 John Deere 2440 and the 1994 John Deere 7400. Both have been very reliable tractors for us.

[@TravisMoore-bh2iw]

You look like the rest of us in ky short hay

[@cripplecreekfarmsky]

We are definitely not getting the output this year as last. That late freeze sure didn't help either. Fingers crossed for a lot of rain because we'll need it for a second cutting!

[@michaeltaber4969]

Just curious. Why don't you adjust the discharge to swath it out more so you don't need to ted it everytime. In my experience with alfalfa tedding beats the leaves off if you let it sit. I know in cases of chopping you narrow it up so it doesn't dry as fast, and lay it out more flat for dryer hay. Again just curious

[@cripplecreekfarmsky]

Good question. We noticed that even with the flaps adjusted all the way out, it still was tossing the grass into a 6' wide or so windrow. Plus when the grass is thicker, it'll need tedded regardless. So now we have the flaps adjusted so that the windrows line up directly between the baskets on the tedder and it tosses it evenly.
Tedding with alfalfa, or anything in our opinion, should be done immediately as the vegetation is cut so it will hold together going through the tedder. Seems to make a better product all the way around.
Thanks for the question and for tuning in!

[@chavez7944]

Nice video. Got a question. Which has more nutrients…1st cutting or 2nd cutting?

[@cripplecreekfarmsky]

Good question! It is all about the timing in when the grass is actually cut. There's a point at which your spring and summer grasses contain roughly the same amount of nutritional value and fiber content and that is when you want to cut. If you cut late, your nutrition and digestible fiber levels drop and then it does not make as good of feed. Same thing would apply to second cutting! As far which is better, it can vary due to weather patterns but typically the first cutting is going to contain less weeds and in our opinion be a better product. Thank you for your question and for tuning in!

[@ZachLobdell]

8:41 what loader is that

[@cripplecreekfarmsky]

It's a John Deere 145 loader

[@ZachLobdell]

@@cripplecreekfarmsky nice. I love those loaders in my opinion they are one of the best John Deere has ever made