Definition of
Hay
The term hay comes from the Latin word phenum. The concept refers to a plant which is part of the group of grassescharacterized by its thin canes and narrow leaves.
Being included in the group of grasses, hay is also a plant monocot angiosperm. This means that its carpels form an ovary that contains the ova and that its embryo has a single cotyledon (first leaf). Furthermore, as an angiosperm, it is a species phanerogam because their reproductive organs are visible as flowers.
In a broader sense, hay is called dry grass which is used to feed the cattle. It can be a mixture of different species, such as wheat, barley, oats and ryegrass.
Depending on the material of the leaves, the hay may have more or less quality. In certain areas, due to climatic characteristics, it is common for the nutritional value of hay to be reduced.
Hay is usually harvested with machinery and then processed for storage in batteries either bales. It can be used to feed cows, sheep, horses and goats, and in certain cases also pigs (although this animal have difficulty digesting it).
Hay is usually used when fresh grass is scarce or has characteristics that prevent its digestion. In such cases, it is common for haymaking to be used to feed the cattle.
It should be noted that, in some regionsthe hay is stored in haystacks: mounds in the open air that develop around a pole arranged vertically.
The process of mowing and baling the hay forms a very important part of the daily life of the farmers and the farmers who must feed their animals. As mentioned above, currently the use of machinery is very common and for this reason it is necessary to check it approximately one month before starting tedding to avoid delays due to breakdowns, for example.
If in the hayfield we find clovers or alfalfa, among other legumes, it may become necessary to advance the harvest, usually by the time they are no more than 20 percent from full bloom. The leaves should be cut when they are fully developed because rushing will result in a smaller harvest and waiting too long will decrease their nutritional content.
It is very important to wait until they have passed at least three days of dry weather before cutting the hay, so that it can be properly cured and baled. We usually have two weeks to cut the hay without risking losing its properties.
To cut the hay it is recommended to use a mower whose bar is shaped like a sickle, a rotating disk or conditioner. The extension of the land is usually the determining factor of the most suitable equipment for the task, for which observation and knowledge of the soil is necessary. When we complete this step, we must rotate the hay at least once during the next three days, although we must not exaggerate the number of turns to avoid too many pieces of grass and seeds coming off.
The goal of turning hay is to get it dry before store it. It is precisely this aspect that we must take into account during the three days that it is usually left in the sun to make the decision to rotate it. To measure its internal moisture content it is necessary to examine it frequently. Before packing it should reach a state where it is crisp but does not crumble very easily.