Hay Making (Part 1)

Making Hay: A Guide to Shutting up Paddocks and Preparing for a Productive Harvest

Haymaking is a time-honored practice that provides farmers with essential winter feed while helping to maintain healthy, productive pastures. As the season shifts and grass growth accelerates, it’s the perfect time to start planning your hay harvest. Here’s an in-depth look at the haymaking process, from selecting paddocks to shutting them up and managing the harvest.

1. Choosing the Right Paddocks

Selecting the right paddocks is the first crucial step. A good hay paddock should be well-fertilised, free from weeds, and have a thick, healthy cover of grass. Ideally, select paddocks with a mix of perennial grasses like ryegrass or timothy and legumes like clover, as these provide a balanced feed with protein, energy, and fibre.

Key considerations when choosing paddocks:
- Soil Fertility: Well-fertilised paddocks with balanced nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels yield better-quality hay.
- Weed Control: Weeds lower the quality of the hay and can reduce palatability for livestock.
- Accessibility: Choose paddocks that are easy to access with machinery for cutting, raking, and baling.

2. Timing for Shutting Up Paddocks

When the weather warms up and grass growth is at its peak, it’s time to shut up paddocks. Timing varies depending on the region, but in general:
- Mid to Late-Spring: Begin shutting up paddocks as grass growth rates increase. This allows the paddocks to reach their optimal growth before cutting.
- Ideal Grass Length: Aim to let the grass reach about 20-30 cm in height before cutting. This allows for the highest energy yield without sacrificing regrowth potential.

3. Preparing Paddocks for Maximum Yield

Proper fertilisation is essential to encourage dense, high-quality growth. Ideally, apply a balanced fertiliser or nitrogen-rich feed in early spring before shutting up the paddocks. However, avoid over-fertilising, as this can lead to overly lush growth that may be challenging to dry for haymaking.

In addition to fertilising:
- Monitor for Weeds: Apply herbicides if necessary, but well before cutting to ensure no residue remains.
- Irrigation (if necessary): Keep soil moisture at optimal levels, especially in dry regions, to encourage consistent growth.

Keep an eye out for our next blog Hay Making Part 2