What Equipment Do You Need to Make Your Own Hay for Cattle?
To successfully make your own hay for cattle, you need a series of specific machines and tools: a mower (such as a disc mower or sickle bar mower) to cut the grass, a tedder to spread and fluff the hay for drying, a rake to gather hay into windrows, and a baler (round or square) to compress the hay into manageable bales. Additional equipment like moisture testers and hay wagons help optimize quality and transport.
Beyond the core machines, there are optional but highly beneficial tools such as hay conditioners, which can dramatically reduce drying times, and protective covers or dedicated storage buildings to preserve hay quality post-harvest. Understanding the scale of your operation and the type of forage will guide which equipment you prioritize.
Understanding the Haymaking Process and Equipment Roles
Haymaking involves cutting, drying, gathering, and baling forage crops like alfalfa or timothy grass to preserve them for cattle feed. Each stage requires specialized equipment designed to maintain forage quality and efficiency.
- Cutting: Mowers cut the forage at the right height to maximize yield and minimize soil contamination. Cutting height is crucial—too low results in dirt and weed contamination, which reduces hay quality and can cause health issues in cattle.
- Drying: Tedders spread and aerate the cut grass to promote even drying and prevent mold. Proper drying is essential to maintain nutrient levels, especially for high-protein forages like alfalfa, where prolonged moisture exposure can lead to significant losses.
- Gathering: Rakes collect the dried hay into windrows ready for baling. The style of rake affects leaf retention: delicate alfalfa requires gentle handling to preserve leaves rich in protein.
- Baling: Balers compress the hay into dense, transportable bales. The choice between round and square bales impacts storage, handling, and feeding strategies.
Each piece of equipment impacts hay quality and the labor/time required, so choosing the right types and models is key for any cattle operation. For instance, farms focused on premium feed quality might invest in rotary rakes that minimize leaf loss, while larger operations may prioritize equipment that maximizes speed and volume.
Mowers: Types and Recommendations for Cutting Forage
The first step in haymaking is cutting the forage. Two common mower types dominate the market:
- Disc Mowers—Powered by a tractor’s PTO, these use spinning discs with attached blades to cut cleanly and quickly. Brands like John Deere’s 900 Series or New Holland’s Disc Mower models are popular choices for their durability and efficiency. Disc mowers excel in tougher, heavier crops and can operate effectively on uneven terrain due to their floating suspension systems.
- Sickle Bar Mowers—These utilize reciprocating blades that shear the grass. They’re generally more affordable but slower and less effective in heavy or wet crops. They are better suited for smaller acreage or irregularly shaped fields where maneuverability is more important than speed.
Disc mowers typically handle higher acreage faster and produce a cleaner cut, which helps the hay cure faster. For farms producing over 20 acres of hay annually, investing in a disc mower often pays off. Additionally, many disc mowers come equipped with conditioner attachments, which crush stems to accelerate drying—critical in humid climates or when weather windows are tight.
Research indicates that mower choice can influence forage quality by affecting the amount of leaf retention; disc mowers reduce leaf shatter compared to sickle bar mowers, preserving more nutrients for cattle feed. Moreover, disc mowers with wider cutting widths (up to 15 feet or more) can cover more ground quickly, reducing fuel costs and labor time.
Tedders: Why You Need Them and Which Ones Work Best
After cutting, the hay must dry thoroughly to prevent spoilage. Tedders are essential for this task—they lift and spread the cut forage to expose it evenly to sun and air. Without proper tedding, hay can stay damp inside windrows, increasing mold risk.
Popular models include the Kuhn GF Series and New Holland TT Series tedders, both known for adjustable tine angles and robust construction. For small to medium operations (under 50 acres), a 4-rotor tedder is usually adequate, while larger farms might opt for 6 rotors or more for faster coverage.
For more on this, see our related guide: How Many Cows Can You Raise Per Acre in North Carolina? Pasture and Hay Breakdown.
Choosing the right tedder also involves considering the forage type. For example, alfalfa requires gentle tedding to avoid leaf loss, so tedders with adjustable or softer tines are beneficial. In contrast, grasses may tolerate more aggressive tedding. Tedding can reduce drying time by 1-2 days, which is especially critical in regions with unpredictable weather or short drying windows.
Efficiency-wise, tedders with hydraulic folding and adjustable working widths improve maneuverability and reduce transport time between fields. High-end models often feature independent tine height adjustment to ensure optimal ground clearance, preventing soil contamination.
Rakes: Types and Their Impact on Hay Quality
Once the hay is dry, it must be gathered into windrows for baling. Rakes come in several forms:
- Wheel Rakes: Simple and economical, they work by pushing hay into lines. Brands like Vermeer and Kuhn offer reliable options. They have fewer moving parts, resulting in lower maintenance costs and simpler operation, making them popular in rugged or uneven terrain.
- Rotary Rakes: Use spinning tines to gently lift and form windrows, reducing leaf loss and preserving forage quality. They create uniform, fluffy windrows that dry faster and are easier to bale. Their gentle action makes them ideal for delicate crops like alfalfa and clover.
- Parallel Bar Rakes: Also known as side-delivery rakes, they deliver clean windrows with minimal soil contamination. They are especially useful in rocky or uneven fields where ground contact must be minimized to avoid dirt in the hay.
Rotary rakes are generally preferred for alfalfa and high-value forage, as they maintain nutritional quality better than wheel rakes. However, wheel rakes tend to be less expensive and easier to maintain. Another consideration is windrow size; rotary rakes form narrower, denser rows ideal for square balers, while wheel rakes produce broader windrows that complement round balers.
In terms of productivity, rotary rakes typically operate at ground speeds of 10-12 mph, which can significantly reduce field time on larger acreages. Some models also offer hydraulic steering and folding for better road transport and maneuvering, an important factor for farms with multiple fields.
Balers: Choosing Between Round and Square for Your Cattle Hay
Balers compress hay into bales for storage and feeding. Two main types serve cattle producers:
| Baler Type | Advantages | Disadvantages | Typical Models |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round Balers | Lower labor, good for large volumes, weather resistant bales | Heavier bales, harder to stack efficiently, less ideal for small farms | John Deere 450M, New Holland Roll-Belt |
| Square Balers | Compact bales easy to handle/store, preferred for feeding and transport | Higher labor, slower operation, more maintenance | Case IH LB434, New Holland BR7090 |
For cattle producers with limited storage and smaller herds, small square balers (40×40 cm bales) allow easier manual handling. Larger operations often prefer round balers for efficiency.
It’s important to match baler size and bale density to your feeding system. For example, large round bales weighing 1,000 lbs or more require machinery for moving and feeding but are efficient for pasture feeding or winter storage. Small square bales, typically 40-50 lbs, enable hand feeding and easier portion control, reducing waste for small herds.
If you’re also looking into this, our article on 34. Round Bale Feeder: Which Type Wastes the Least Hay and Saves You Money? covers it in more detail.
Furthermore, advancements such as net wrapping on round balers help protect bales from weather, improving long-term storage. On the other hand, square balers with knotters need regular maintenance to avoid breakdowns, but their bales stack neatly in barns, optimizing space.
Additional Equipment and Tools to Consider
Apart from the core machinery, other equipment enhances haymaking success:
- Moisture Tester: Devices like the Delmhorst K-2 tester help ensure hay moisture is below 20% before baling, critical to prevent mold and spontaneous combustion. For producers, investing in portable, easy-to-use moisture meters can save thousands in lost feed value and prevent dangerous storage fires. Some testers also provide digital readouts and data logging for quality tracking.
- Hay Wagons and Trailers: For transporting bales from field to storage; options range from simple sled-style wagons to hydraulic dump trailers. Hydraulic trailers facilitate unloading by tipping bales, reducing labor, especially for heavy round bales. Additionally, wagons with adjustable loading decks improve bale stacking and handling efficiency.
- Conditioners: Attached to mowers, conditioners crush stem outer layers, speeding drying times by up to 50%, especially useful for alfalfa. Two main types exist: roller conditioners that crush stems and rubber flail conditioners that strip waxy coatings. Selecting the right conditioner for your forage type can dramatically improve drying speed and reduce risk of rain damage during curing.
- Protective Covers or Storage Buildings: To shield hay from rain and UV damage, preserving nutritional value. Even brief rainfall on curing hay can leach nutrients and promote mold growth. Investing in tarps, breathable plastic covers, or constructing pole barns can protect your investment significantly. Ventilated storage also helps maintain bale quality, especially for round bales stored outside.
Other complementary tools include bale spears or grapples for moving bales efficiently, precision hay cutters for custom bale sizing, and even GPS guidance systems for modern tractors to optimize field passes and reduce overlaps during cutting and raking.
Equipment Costs and Budget Planning
Prices vary widely depending on new vs. used equipment, brand, and size:
| Equipment | Typical New Price Range (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Disc Mower | $7,000 – $15,000 | Depends on cutting width and brand |
| Tedder | $5,000 – $12,000 | Rotor number and working width affect cost |
| Rake | $3,000 – $10,000 | Wheel rakes less expensive than rotary |
| Round Baler | $20,000 – $50,000+ | New models with net wrapping cost more |
| Square Baler | $15,000 – $40,000 | Small square balers cost less than large |
Used equipment can reduce upfront costs significantly but may require more maintenance and repairs. For example, buying a 5-10 year-old disc mower can save 30-50% but check blade condition and hydraulic systems carefully. Maintenance history is crucial to avoid unexpected downtime during hay season.
When budgeting, also consider operational costs such as fuel, maintenance parts (blades, belts, bearings), and labor. Investing in dealer support and warranty programs can reduce long-term expenses and increase equipment uptime.
It’s also wise to factor in additional expenses for storage infrastructure and moisture testing tools, which, while sometimes overlooked, play a critical role in preserving hay quality and preventing losses.
This ties in closely with How Many Cows Per Acre in Missouri? Stocking Rates for Different Pasture Types Explained, worth a look if you want to go deeper.
Summary: Essential Equipment for Haymaking Success
To produce quality hay for cattle, you need a combination of machines suited to your farm size and forage type. At minimum, this includes a mower to cut forage, a tedder to dry it, a rake to form windrows, and a baler to package the hay. Investing in moisture testing and proper storage further protects feed quality. Choosing equipment brands known for reliability—like John Deere, New Holland, Kuhn, or Vermeer—helps ensure longevity and easier parts replacement.
Additionally, evaluating your haymaking operation holistically—from field preparation to final storage—can uncover efficiencies and cost savings. Modern equipment with features like adjustable cutting heights, folding tedders, and precision balers can reduce labor and improve feed quality. Ultimately, choosing the right equipment mix tailored to your forage types, acreage, and budget ensures sustainable and profitable hay production for your cattle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of mower is best for cutting alfalfa hay?
Disc mowers are typically best for alfalfa because they provide a cleaner, faster cut with less leaf loss, improving forage quality and drying time compared to sickle bar mowers. Additionally, disc mowers equipped with conditioners help crush alfalfa stems, further accelerating drying and preserving nutrients. The cleaner cut reduces the risk of fungal infections, which can be problematic in alfalfa if cutting is delayed or uneven.
How dry should hay be before baling to avoid spoilage?
Hay should be dried to around 15-20% moisture content before baling. Above this range, the risk of mold growth and spontaneous combustion increases. Moisture levels above 25% are particularly dangerous, as internal microbial activity can cause heat buildup leading to fires. Using moisture testers before baling can help avoid these risks. Weather conditions also influence drying times; cool, humid conditions require more careful monitoring.
Can I make hay without a tedder?
While possible, not using a tedder can slow drying and increase uneven moisture distribution, leading to poor-quality hay and higher spoilage rates. Tedders significantly improve drying efficiency by spreading out clumps of cut forage and promoting airflow. Without tedding, especially in thick or dense stands like alfalfa, the inner layers remain moist longer, increasing the likelihood of mold and nutrient loss. In some cases, natural wind and manual hay spreading might substitute for a tedder on very small operations, but it is labor intensive and less consistent.
Are round bales or square bales better for feeding cattle?
Square bales are easier to handle and store manually and ideal for small herds, while round bales suit larger operations with machinery to move heavy loads and can be left outside if wrapped properly. Round bales are more weather-resistant because of their shape and often require less labor in baling and feeding. However, square bales stack more efficiently in barns, reduce wasted hay left unconsumed, and allow more precise feeding portions, which can be important for managing nutrition in smaller herds.
How often does haymaking equipment require maintenance?
Regular maintenance varies by equipment but generally includes greasing moving parts before each use, inspecting blades and tines monthly during the season, and annual checks of belts, chains, and bearings to prevent breakdowns. For balers, knotter cleaning and lubrication after every 20-30 bales ensure reliable operation. Blades on mowers and sickle bars should be sharpened or replaced as needed to maintain clean cuts. Adhering to manufacturer maintenance schedules reduces costly downtime during critical harvesting windows and extends equipment lifespan.