Hay 2024

Just over 4mm since 2pm today here in South Kildare..More due Tuesday morning.Far from ideal hay weather

Very true, often lads waiting for the perfect hay weather miss many opportunities. Stuff cut Wedsnesday this week would be got by Tuesday evening. The first two days after being cut can be used to let the grass wilt before shaking out, that way if the weather doesn't play ball you can bale it up as silage, but if 3 good days come after the two days wilt you'll get the hay.

I think we have it easier than pass generations, they didn't have the fall back of making silage bales.

One thing I have learn't is the Haybob has got its last repair for me, I'll be investing in a tether for myself. I reckon I missed out on about 10 bales of hay due to the haybob not shaking out the stuff by the walls good enough. It tended to lump the stuff up where the crop was heavy

I mowed last Sunday, rowed up the headland and a damp paddock on Monday, baled Tuesday, turned the rest for the first time Wednesday, turned again Thursday, did nothing Friday due to rain, will turn today and bale tomorrow. Sure it got wet once, it was always in the forecast. The grass has not been overly turned and abused but is well killed out now, still has a nice green tint and fresh hay smell.

I was planning on trying to get another bit knocked this week, but even I'm chickening out with the current forecast, too many little bits of rain scattered through the week, at least this week there was only one spell forecast for a few hours.

It would be nice to wait for the goldilocks weather, which may or may not come, but I've too much fodder this year due to changing to a calf based system and just not stocking heavily enough yet, so I need to sell and hay is much easier to shift. (even easier if that perfect weather never comes now)

It really has changed in the last hour…..
Could be mowing yet 😁, I think I'll finish what I have first.

just cut a light for the most part weedy rushy crop. Hoping to bale Wednesday ….

Out of action this time, I broke the end off the sliding tube on the haybob, I thought I could weld it but it's too rusty and the metal is gone thin. The welder is only punching holes in the tube. Had a quick look on donedeal, there's nothing near me of any use or else its overpriced trash.

I think I'm going to buy new and get the tams grant. It's 60% for Organic farmers, the reference cost of a Haybob/tether is 3900, but will I be able to get new for that is the question. I was browsing at machinery costs and was shocked at how expensive some stuff has got. Cheapest disc mower is 8.5k now!! The Franzgaurd combi 390 is 6900, no idea what the Enorossi DR420 Tedder is but I imagine it must be far more.

Value of money is gone to sh1te, someone mentioned they'd have to be getting 40 a bale in the field for hay, cripes I reckon that is a bargin at 40. With the costs involved and the lottery that it is I wouldn't be selling hay bales under 60

100% thanks, I'm in west clare, Ive located the part of a dealer a few miles away, it's the tube that stops the haybob from swiviling too far left or right, the one you close the clamp on when travelling. Problem is its an angle grinder job to get out the rusted bolt holding it in on both machines. On top of which I've a punchure, tiss pure torture!! Anyways

I'm going to mow away this afternoon once it dries out, I'm only going for 6 acres this time, the rest could do with growing a bit more so I have time. Once mowed I'll go at the rust bucket haybob.

was considering purchasing a 4 rotor Tedder myself next year. Was thinking of going for a Massey one as they are using the lely technology. Is there a grant for these in tams or is that just for organics?

Its wonderful the way the weather forecast is changing daily, sometimes more !! My father has an old nokia, and is now cursing people with all the weather apps on their phones

I cut some yesterday too, it didn't give you much inspiration here in the west in the evening, it made a right heavy mist all evening. One thing I did notice when I was cutting was plenty of small copper butterflys and I came across a yellow frog, both of which is a great sign of the weather. Which is why the forecasts for the next week onwards don't seem to match. I wonder which weather we will get? Either way i can do nothing with it till I fix the rust bucket haybob.

Anyone thinking of buying hay equipment through the tams, it closes for applications in September. At the moment I intend using the scheme to get a tedder, a weighing scales and maybe a front loader. (The scales os only 40% grant)

3rd generation of Maher's working this haybob/tractor combination.

lely, I think it’s a 520.

When was that cut? mine ( cut thur) still green enough in places, hard to know with forecast if it will rain much monday night