Hay Making

Method of Hay Making

8.7.1 Selection and Harvesting if Crops for Hay Making

Preparation of hay by sun curing depends on the type of crop available and the climatic conditions. This stemmed crops like maize and jowar are not suitable for hay making as it will take longer time for the stems to dry. Thin stemmed crops like Lucerne, Oates and grasses are suitable for hay making.

The stage of maturity of the crop at the time of cutting is very important as far as nutritive value of the hay is concerned. An early cut means more nutritive value but less yield. Late cutting on the other hand will result in less nutritive value but more bulk. Legume hays are made out of leguminuous plants like lucerne and other clovers. They are rich in proteins, vitamins and minerals. The nonlegurrinous ha contain less proteins, minerals and vitamins. These hays may be from grass.

 Dairying

8.7.2 Hay Making

The fodder crop is cut when 2/3o of the entire crop is in flowering stage. The cutting should be dame in cool hours of the morning arid protected grass from sun rays. It is put in small heaps in shade, so that it is easy to take turning process – it is than stacked on an elevated ground. The heaps of the hay is put to a height of 7 to g meters. Around the heap a channel of 20cm deep and 30cm

wide is provided to drain the rainwater. The hay can also be stocked in a well-ventilated shed.

8.7.3 Characteristics of Good Hay

1. Hay must be leafy. Green to brown in colour.

2. It should heavy soft and pliable stems.

3. It should be free from moulds, weeds and dust.

4. It should be palatable and have pleasant smell and aroma.

5. It should not contain more than 20% moisture.

8.7.4 Advantages of Hay

1. Hay is less expensive to prepare.

2. More quantity can be stocked on less space.

3. It is nutrious compared to straw.

4. It is paiafabie and animal eats it greedily.

8.7.5 Disadvantages of Hay

1. It acquires more space, when composed to silage.

2. Vitamin A is less in Hay when compared to silage.

8.7.6 Importance of Hay Making

Hay refers to grasses or legumes that are harvested, dried and stored

85-90 percent dry matter. When harvested in the proper physiological stage of

growth and well, cured to 20 percent or less moisture at the tirrie of storing, hay

can be utilized as an excellent feed for daily cattle, particularly when fodder is

scare or pasturage is insufficient. Many contains more nutrients compared to

poor quality of straws, as it is prepared before harvesting. So nutrients which

goes to grains and seeds are retained.