{"id":10935,"date":"2021-11-25T08:01:12","date_gmt":"2021-11-25T08:01:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/?p=10935"},"modified":"2021-11-25T08:01:14","modified_gmt":"2021-11-25T08:01:14","slug":"how-to-pick-up-hay-without-a-baler","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/how-to-pick-up-hay-without-a-baler\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Pick Up Hay Without A Baler?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Are you wondering how to pick up hay without a baler – or even if it can be done in the first place? The quick answer is yes! You can do all kinds of things with hay without a hay baler – here\u2019s what you need to know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Do Farmers Use to Pick Up Hay?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"What<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Before we take a deep dive into picking up hay without a baler, let\u2019s first review the equipment that is typically used. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most farmers own tractors to haul hay mowers, balers, and other types of equipment. Mowers come in all shapes and sizes, from large trailed mower-conditioners to miniature sickle bar mowers and even self-propelled machines<\/a>. Many of these are meant to be mounted to a tractor\u2019s 3-point hitch.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After cutting the hay with the mower, the hay will be turned over with a piece of equipment called a hay tedder. This spreads and turns over the loose hay in the field, helping to accelerate the drying process. Before bailing, the hay has to be raked into windrows with a hay rake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, balers. Farmers will use round balers or square balers depending on their needs and the type and size of tractor they have. The balers help bring all the hay together and can then also wrap the bales to make for easier handling. Generally, net wrap or twine is used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you aren\u2019t going to use a tractor to pick up or cut hay, you will need to get more creative. A scythe can be used to cut the hay while a hay fork can be used to pick up the hay after it has dried. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can You Bale Hay By Hand?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you are fortunate enough to own or otherwise have access to a local hayfield, you should count yourself lucky. Good pastures or hayfields can be hard to come by. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, if you don\u2019t have a tractor, you might assume your options are limited. The good news is that you can bale by hand and without the use of mechanical equipment. You\u2019ll just break more of a sweat! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Bale Hay By Hand?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are a few advantages to baling hay by hand. This process works well if you don\u2019t need that much hay (or if you don\u2019t have that many animals).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re raising a herd of 50 beef cows, baling hay by hand probably isn\u2019t going to make much sense for you. You won\u2019t sleep at all during the haying season! However, if you just need some hay for bedding for a few animals, then hand baling makes a lot of sense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It can save you a great deal of money if you don\u2019t have to buy a tractor or other types of equipment<\/a>. You also won\u2019t have to worry about maintaining a tractor and equipment – a huge advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plus, if you bale by hand, you may be able to access areas where a tractor or a baler can\u2019t reach. It\u2019s more eco-friendly and sustainable for the long run. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cutting Hay <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cutting the hay is the first step in the process. Most people take their first cutting of hay sometime in May (earlier in the month for southern states and later in the month for those in more northern climates).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Farmers cut the hay using a scythe, swinging the blade parallel to the ground in an arc. The swing can be followed back to repeat cuts on grass that has been knocked over yet not cut. You should cut a small amount of hay at a time to make sure your blows are as efficient as possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cutting hay with a scythe is exhausting, especially if you have large amounts to cut. However, the sharper you keep your scythe, the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Do You Rake Hay Into Windrows?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Once hay is dry enough to be baled, it is first raked into large piles called windrows. This will help the hay dry even more – and faster. Here\u2019s a video that will show you how to rake hay into windrows. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=wVuH3zyt5dc<\/a>