These 4 weather conditions are the most important for drying hay

[@hickory40cattlecompany96]

Great discussion! It’s very tough to predict for sure. Thanks!

[@MichaelScott-tw3dt]

Great videos and content! Thank you for these videos , been very challenging with 1st cut hay here in Ontario this summer!

[@Dave-ll6ei]

Great points. I also watch for high pressure systems coming across the US and pulling that dry air down from Canada. Thanks for sharing your video.

[@michaeldye7202]

Great video and excellent info. I would change the order of impotence between humidity and wind, but that is based purely on the fact that I'm in Alabama, where summer humidity rarely drops below 70%. I'm sure you're spot on for your area. Everything else, I totally agree. I believe the percentage for rain refers to the coverage area of the particular weather service, I think. I enjoy your videos very much. Keep them coming

[@rodney5656]

Great info Josh. You’re exactly right about the rain being taken out of the forecast and then added back in! They kept going back and forth on me this spring so I said heck with it and went and laid down 10 acres in the late morning. By the time I got back to the barn ot was flat out POURING! So glad I bought that tedder!

[@TheScientistHayFarmer]

When they go back and forth like that don’t do it!

[@windrowfarm]

Great video! I totally agree on that ranking and what you laid out. Maybe the only thing I’d add (for consideration) is how sun gets increasingly important the closer to baling you get. Since it’s all about the moisture gradient, the hay dries (at least a little) if the air is drier than the hay. So a cloudy day one (while not ideal) will still make some progress (at least in my experience) since the hay is still so green and/or wet. But a cloudy baling day - eek, I know you know the feeling. And gosh, humidity. We’re having a heckuva summer with that in New England too. Even a nice sunny humid day, if the clouds build before you bale you can be out of luck real fast. So I agree with the importance there. I’ve had no choice but to go for the humid stretches this year, and it’s no fun. Thanks for posting this!

[@schleppinghay]

Something I have contended with in the summertime in Southwestern Ohio is that good hay drying weather usually coincides with the passage of a cold front. That brings in low humidity and sunshine. It also brings in lower temperatures, especially overnight. That almost always results in heavy dew. How do you figure that into your schedule? I find it adds about a day into the process. So I cut day one, day two the hay is wet in the morning, often until 10 or 11 AM. I get it dried out mostly and tedded, then day three it's wet again and as soon as I can I ted again (~10 AM), rake at 3-4, and bale at 5 if I'm lucky.

[@TheScientistHayFarmer]

We get heavy dews too but two teddings isn’t necessary. My normal schedule is cut around noon or 1 once dew is off on day 1. Day 2 ted once dew is off. Day 3 rake once dew is off. This is normally by 1 and I’m baling by 3. Keep in mind you’d still have it a little warmer there in SW OH than I do in SW MI.

[@acdii]

I try to find a 4 day span with less than 20% forecast. Chances are by the time that third or fourth day comes around the forecast will be in the 40% range. At least this season is how it has been. All I look for is a good 4 day dry spell.

[@rogerdivdis7277]

I like to view the Radar maps and zoom out and in . I haven’t started my Hay cutting life yet but getting close to retirement so it would be great if you could suggest the minimum equipment you need to get started…. I have a 25 hp and 55hp tractor already and will like to have a couple Head of cattle and chickens and some Goats so the Hay will be primarily for them . I love the look of the big Round bails but most likely will be making small square bails. I would great if could go over getting started with the basics, most likely using used equipment. Thank you!

[@TheScientistHayFarmer]

Check out this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXybhHqBZrmXZrssi=-bCh9PVFOM-XdvfD