Why Cutting Timing Is Everything in Hay Production
The single most influential decision a hay producer makes each season is when to cut. Cut too early and you sacrifice yield. Cut too late and you lose digestibility, protein content, and palatability. Getting this balance right is both an art and a science.
This guide walks you through the key growth stage indicators, weather considerations, and practical tips for scheduling your first cutting of the season.
Understanding the Growth Stage Window
For most forage crops, there is a relatively narrow window where the balance of yield and nutritive value is at its peak. Here's how it breaks down by crop type:
Alfalfa
- Ideal stage: 10% bloom (first flowers just beginning to open)
- Why it matters: Before full bloom, protein and energy values are highest. After full bloom, fiber increases rapidly and digestibility drops.
- Visual cue: Look for about 1 in 10 stems showing an open purple flower.
Orchardgrass & Timothy
- Ideal stage: Boot to early head emergence
- Visual cue: Seed head just beginning to push out of the sheath but not fully extended
- Trade-off: Waiting until full head emergence adds dry matter but lowers protein content significantly.
Mixed Grass-Legume Stands
- Base timing primarily on the legume component (alfalfa or clover) since legumes decline in quality faster than grasses
- Aim for the 10–25% bloom range as a general rule
Key Indicators to Watch Before Cutting
- Plant height: Alfalfa should generally be 18–24 inches; grasses should show head emergence
- Regrowth crown buds: For alfalfa, check for new crown buds at the soil surface — this signals the plant has stored enough root carbohydrates for a healthy regrowth
- Days since last cutting: Minimum 28–35 days for alfalfa in summer; longer in spring and fall
- Weather forecast: Aim for at least 3–5 consecutive days of low humidity and no rain before and after cutting
The Weather Window: Planning Around Rain
Cutting hay at the right growth stage is only half the battle. Freshly cut forage typically contains 65–80% moisture and needs to dry down to below 20% for safe square baling, or below 18% for large round bales stored outdoors. Rain on cut hay leaches sugars and nutrients and invites mold.
| Bale Type | Target Moisture at Baling | Minimum Dry Time (ideal conditions) |
|---|---|---|
| Small square bales | Below 18–20% | 2–3 days |
| Large round bales (outside) | Below 18% | 3–4 days |
| Wrapped baleage/silage | 45–55% (high moisture) | Same day or next day |
Practical Tips for Scheduling Your First Cut
- Watch the 10-day forecast from late April onward. Don't cut on day one of a promising window — wait a day to confirm the forecast is holding.
- Cut in the afternoon when possible. Solar sugars (WSC) in the plant are highest after a full day of photosynthesis, which improves bale quality.
- Don't cut all fields at once on the first window. Stagger fields to reduce risk from unexpected rain and to spread your workload.
- Use a tedder to accelerate drying, especially in humid climates or thick-stemmed alfalfa stands.
The Cost of Waiting Too Long
Many producers hold off cutting because they want more tons per acre. While that logic makes short-term sense, late-cut hay consistently results in lower animal performance, more refusals, and the need for more supplemental feed — often costing more in the long run than the extra tonnage was worth. Cutting at the right stage is an investment in feed quality, not a sacrifice of yield.
With a well-timed first cutting, you also set up your stand for stronger, faster regrowth on subsequent cuttings throughout the season.