Hay 2024

just knocked a couple of fields here. Hedging bets. In south east.

Was tight, but managed to make hay twice last year, in June and September. Already made a few bales this year and knocked 16 acres today, sometimes you just have to go for it but at least the wrapper is on standby as a safety net.

Can someone explain the economics of buying in straw bales for bedding vs baling up a good few bales of hay?

Why would i bed cattle on expensive straw when i can just land them on some dry hay i make myself?

I have just converted to organic....

With straw you are importing neutrients onto the land, hay doesn't have the same soakage as straw, it's harder to get it to rot in the dung heap. I've had hay in the dung heap still failing to break down after 12 months;

but yes the economics of buying straw at last years prices is not on.

Would be typical that after years of clearing out farms of rushes that they could potentially be worth something.🤣

Yea, I think if it's going to be wrapped it's better to wrap early, but that still gives me a few extra days to call it.

Got hay twice last year in June and the year before on 4 separate occasions in 22

The rain on friday and Saturday is moving around and wracking on each on the model runs. The warm air pushing up, I think will keep it well away. Tuesday and Wednesday will be good hay days, sunshine and wind.

Tip is always turn for the weather, if it's starting to blow up into a good day, get turning it early at lunchtime. Very little point turning stuff after 4 or 5pm, the power is going out of the day unless it's a small bit of ground

Next one is take it very handy tomorrow, slower forward speed on the tedders 4-5km/h max. You want to get all the crop.

The last number of years in this country has been terrible to predict hay. Good hay should be minimal 50e a bale with all the poker that goes with it.

I've been watching that forecast here (for north east), and rain amounts keep changing considerably, not showing much now, but was showing a washout this morning, definitly worth watching. I'm wrapping headlands and damp spots this evening but still hopeful for some hay. Next week looks a better week and I've another 5 acres to knock.

Forecast is not showing sunny weather either if anything cloudy maybe warmer air

No idea, what forecasts you've been looking at, but there hasn't been as promising a forecast that I've seen in a long while.

There will be nothing wrong with the hay made here over the next 2 weeks and the kids will all be on holiday in July, would be nice to park the tractor up during some of the nice weather.

it was 14degrees here now, over cast no sun or a wind. They were given this week to be better. Doesn’t bother me as I’ve no hay down but definitely nothing as good as predicted here. However hopefully the weather promised next week wil come as I’ve a few meadows to knock.

Glad I knocked when I did. Rainfall amounts here for Friday still look small, but the end of next week into the start of July not looking good now, but still far enough away to change again.

https://www.met.ie/forecasts/monthly-forecast

MONTHLY FORECAST, ISSUED TUESDAY 18 JUNE 2024

Week 1 (Monday 24 June to Sunday 30 June)

During week 1, Ireland will lie in a predominantly south-westerly airflow between low pressure to the west and high pressure to the east. With high pressure to our east, rainfall over the eastern half of the country will be near normal or below. However, further to the west, indications suggest that it will be slightly wetter than average due to low pressure close by. Mean temperatures will be higher than average nationwide.

Week 2 (Monday 01 July to Sunday 07 July)

There is a signal for somewhat more changeable conditions for the first week of July. Low pressure is shown to have more of an influence on our weather. This will bring more frequent showers or possibly spells of rain. Rainfall will be near normal or slightly above as a result. Temperatures will be around normal or marginally above also.

Week 3 (Monday 08 July to Sunday 14 July)

There is low confidence in the forecast for week 3. Low pressure is signalled to develop over continental Europe, with a chance of high pressure influencing the weather over Ireland. Temperatures and rainfall are generally expected to be around average.

Week 4 (Monday 15 July to Sunday 21 July)

Similarly, there is low confidence in the signal for week 4. Current indications suggest that there is potential for high pressure to influence Ireland. Temperatures will be near normal, while rainfall will be average or slightly below average for some areas.

Exactly what I’ve recommended to a few lads today.

looks like the 4 to 5 days from Sunday onwards should be the first weather to make good hay this year.

Another fantastic day, One meadow is fit now, the other is almost there., I'll be baling tomorrow. What I noticed about the weather is we are getting no dew at night unlike when you go into July Aug it would be beyond midday before it has dried off.

You know its nearly fit when you have to go for a shower after shaking to get the chaff and dust off.

No can do, the genius smashed it 4 winters ago and the new glass is sitting in the back of the shed with 3 years!!!

To be fair we all know what good hay looks and smells like, the weather can vary significantly in different corners of this little island, but I have definitly seen some good hay made over the last few weeks… and some utter sh1t. If it's dry while maintaining a hint of green, no sap, no heating then it is good hay.

Have you a tractor? Haybobs can be got cheap.

yes I do. South east.

we are just getting going here. Just got the tractor recently. There are many things to buy. But yes haybob definitely up there.

If I was starting out again I'd go for a lely lotus.