Knowledgebase

Ground moisture for hay making #869296

Asked May 20, 2024, 3:00 PM EDT

Hello, Is there a way to test moisture in the ground to know when it is dry enough to cut, rake, and bale hay?

Marion County Oregon

Expert Response

Hello Susie,

You can test soil moisture with a soil probe but I have not heard of using this measurement for determining what the moisture level is safe for haying. The publication,
Haymaking on the Westside, has some great advice on avoiding wet ground while cutting and drying hay.

Thank-you, Replied May 28, 2024, 5:05 PM EDT

Our mission is to help Cooperative Extension generate a more visible, measurable, local act. We achieve this through our nationally funded programs made possible by member dollars and cooperative agreements with federal agencies, and through partnering on state, regional, and national initiatives with Cooperative Extension and the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP). We serve all Land Grant Universities, regardless of membership status.

This work is supported in part by New Technologies for Ag Extension grant no. 2020-41595-30123 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Ground moisture for hay making #869296

Expert Response

Loading ...