Raking hay is a mechanical process that gathers cut and dried forage from a wide swath into a narrow, uniform row called a windrow. This intermediate step occurs after the hay has been mowed and conditioned, but before it is compressed and tied into bales. Proper raking directly influences the quality of the final product by managing moisture and minimizing the loss of the most nutritious parts of the plant.
The Purpose and Timing of Raking
Raking hay is necessary to accelerate the final stages of the curing process and prepare the material for the baler. The action of raking turns the hay mass over, exposing the wetter layer that was resting on the ground to air and sunlight. This turning motion helps to achieve the necessary low moisture content for safe storage, typically between 12% to 18% for baling, depending on the bale density and size.
The ideal moisture content for raking ranges from 30% to 40%. Raking the hay at this moisture level helps to minimize leaf shatter, which is the separation of the protein-rich leaves from the stems, especially in legume crops like alfalfa. If the hay is handled when it is too dry, these leaves, which contain two-thirds of the protein and a high percentage of digestible nutrients, are easily lost in the field.
Timing the raking operation is closely tied to managing the crop’s moisture. It is often best to rake during the mid-morning, typically around 11:00 am, after the overnight dew has evaporated from the surface of the hay. Alternatively, raking in the late evening or early morning during dry periods can utilize the naturally higher moisture content of the air to protect the leaves from shattering.
Selecting the Right Hay Rake
The choice of rake impacts the final hay quality, primarily concerning the retention of leaves and the incorporation of ash. Traditional wheel rakes are a common, low-cost option that operate by being ground-driven. Because their tines contact the ground to function, they carry a higher risk of incorporating external ash into the hay, which decreases the quality of the forage.
Rotary rakes offer a gentler solution, as they are not ground-driven and can be adjusted so the tines do not scrape the soil surface. This design minimizes contamination and results in the lowest external ash content compared to other types. They are particularly effective in forming uniform, fluffy windrows and handling heavier, wetter forage.
Parallel bar rakes, sometimes called basket rakes, also offer effective windrow formation and result in lower ash content than wheel rakes. These rakes often use a hydraulic drive system, which allows the teeth to operate without relying on ground contact for power. Selecting a rake engineered for gentle handling helps preserve the leaves.
Step-by-Step Raking Technique
The first step in executing the raking process is the precise adjustment of the rake’s working height. The tines should be set to skim just above the stubble, allowing them to collect all the cut material without digging into the soil. Tine contact with the ground incorporates dirt, which increases the ash content of the hay.
Next, the width of the windrow must be adjusted to match the pickup width of the baler being used. Creating a windrow that is slightly narrower than the baler’s pickup ensures the machine can feed the hay consistently and evenly, leading to bales with uniform density. An uneven windrow can result in lopsided or “roped” bales, which do not store or feed as well.
Maintaining the correct ground speed is another factor that influences hay quality during raking. Traveling too fast increases the centrifugal force on the hay, which can scatter the material and cause significant leaf shatter. The speed should be slow enough to handle the crop gently, yet fast enough to maintain field efficiency.
Finally, the raking pattern through the field should be planned to ensure consistent overlap and a continuous windrow. A slight overlap, approximately 10% to 15% between passes, prevents gaps and ensures all cut hay is gathered. Working in long, straight runs minimizes turns and helps to create the desired fluffy, uniform windrow.