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Hi all, please see this major site announcement: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058427594/boards-ie-2026

Hay 2026

  • 18-05-2026 06:09PM
    #1
    glanman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,889 ✭✭✭


    Already behind last year! First post was on the 15th May😃

    Keeping an eye on the long range for next weekend. Grass is very green though



«134

Comments

  • #2
    limo_100
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,409 ✭✭✭limo_100


    have some pasture in front of the cows I am thinking of making hay with it next week if the weather comes good. Only think is like you it’s green but I will also need the ground back for the cows asap. Also might leave 10acres off the first cut silage and try and make hay. Try and reduce contractor bills this year if I can. Hay is great to have



  • #3
    DBK1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 3,111 ✭✭✭DBK1


    Baled hay for a customer on 18th May last year and baled my own this day last year, both baled in beaming hot sunshine. It’s definitely true that no 2 years are the same!



  • #4
    RockOrBog
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 603 ✭✭✭RockOrBog


    Anyone ever put a few layers of wrap on hay and leave it outside? I'm thinking there must be a flaw in the plan somewhere



  • #5
    Jb1989
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,674 ✭✭✭Jb1989


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124483694#Comment_124483694

    Has to be bone dry or will heat.

    Then you've cost, all that work tedding, and baling lighter non chopped bales only to spend money on plastic. Needs must but it's not really worth it, especially when you can get more into chopped bales.

    Men wrap straw alright but thats different.



  • #6
    DBK1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 3,111 ✭✭✭DBK1


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124483694#Comment_124483694

    We’ve done it for a few lads over the years and have done it an odd time for myself. Most lads put it into the shed until they need the shed for winter housing or whatever and then take it out again and wrap it. Never a problem with heating or anything like that.



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  • #7
    Jb1989
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,674 ✭✭✭Jb1989


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124483767#Comment_124483767

    The heat would be out of it by then. But to wrap it straight away can have poor results in my evidence.



  • #8
    50HX
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 4,085 ✭✭✭50HX


    I had about 5 acres of tough enough meadow in 2018, it would have 50/50 hay & rushy bedding.

    I used it for drying off the cows at weaning time...what they didnt pick was kept for calving pens.

    Used barrell wrap...the edges were exposed, stacked outside for the winter.

    I was caught for storage to leave it as hay.

    Worked out the finest, if thats any help



  • #9
    kk.man
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 5,007 ✭✭✭kk.man


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058438778/hay-2026

    WWeather expected to get v hot Sunday and Monday, if I had hay to mow I'd be looking at mowing Friday morning.



  • #10
    Conversations 3
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,195 ✭✭✭Conversations 3


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124484291#Comment_124484291

    I'm aiming for haylage from 2 strong fields.

    With the weather would it need to be turned at all of mowed Friday and baled Monday?



  • #11
    kk.man
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 5,007 ✭✭✭kk.man


    It will probably be somewhat wet on Friday after Thursdays rain. I wouldn't touch it Friday, if its very green you still have great weather to dry it and maybe Ted twice on Sunday.

    The reason i said Friday mowing because we get these narrow windows for hay as you know you must be quick off the mark. I did hay in 5 days but would always prefer a 6th day.



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  • #12
    Austinbrick
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 408 ✭✭Austinbrick


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124484248#Comment_124484248

    Good idea to leave the edges exposed!

    We covered rushy hay in tarpaulin. Messy with the wind. Came off a few times.

    Still , we have them for 3yrs . Handy for bedding for the calves.



  • #13
    limo_100
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,409 ✭✭✭limo_100


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124484291#Comment_124484291

    Working all weekend so earliest I will be able to cut is Monday evening. Will have to see if the weather is going to hold that long.



  • #14
    endainoz
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,290 ✭✭✭endainoz


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124484527#Comment_124484527

    Tuesday is looking very warm you'll be fine



  • #15
    Jb1989
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,674 ✭✭✭Jb1989


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124488515#Comment_124488515

    Yea bit that's no good if rain comes Thursday. Any word of end of week as Thursday was mentioned as break earlier this week

    Acc weather giveing sun for a fortnight. Other apps only giveing to Wednesday I see.



  • #16
    emaherx
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 6,937 ✭✭✭emaherx


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124488575#Comment_124488575

    Looking at forecast here it could be Saturday week before rain comes, that could be very different elsewhere though.



  • #17
    limo_100
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,409 ✭✭✭limo_100


    IMG_4580.jpeg IMG_4583.jpeg IMG_4581.jpeg

    this is the ground I was hoping to make not sure maybe it’s too green could do with another to kill abit. Slurry and abag of nitrogen is all it got. My silage ground got 3bags wouldn’t be as heavy.



  • #18
    Jb1989
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,674 ✭✭✭Jb1989


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124488587#Comment_124488587

    Ah fair enough, that's good



  • #19
    dryan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 548 ✭✭✭dryan


    anyone brave enough to go for it?
    Have a few acres here my self and could be tempted to knock saturday.
    would need the 5 days and middle of next week showing bits of rain now.



  • #20
    Jb1989
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,674 ✭✭✭Jb1989


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124488706#Comment_124488706

    I will if I think I've Friday or Saturday to get to. I missed getting mine fertiled so it'll be easily saved



  • #21
    bogman_bass
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 5,860 ✭✭✭bogman_bass


    it’s May. Unless conditions are perfect wait. There will be another chance



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  • #22
    893bet
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 10,819 ✭✭✭✭893bet


    Next 3 weeks look largely settled. We need the first week to dry out after the last week



  • #23
    Danny healy ray
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 668 ✭✭✭Danny healy ray


    carlow weather is giving rain next Thursday



  • #24
    893bet
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 10,819 ✭✭✭✭893bet


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124489768#Comment_124489768

    I would be confident that risk will disappear.

    My reading of it is 10 days to 2 weeks of fine weather.



  • #25
    50HX
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 4,085 ✭✭✭50HX


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124489803#Comment_124489803

    Whete are you seeing that?

    ECM is showing back to normal scutter for Bank Hol weekend



  • #26
    Dupont
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,074 ✭✭✭Dupont


    Go for it. Monaghan shows warm but cloudy from tomorrow to Tuesday then the suns out till Friday or Saturday. A wee show of drizzle on yr weather some evening but the other forecasts don’t show that so It usually doesn’t materialise.



  • #27
    Gudstock
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 211 ✭✭Gudstock


    Heavy ground here is in awful shape, will need til Monday before I'll cut, half hay instead of silage, weather permitting. I think you need to be guaranteed a right good sunny and hopefully breezy day for baling on the 5th or 6th day



  • #28
    Gudstock
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 211 ✭✭Gudstock


    We got May hay about 4 or 5 (or maybe even 6!) years ago and we never had anything like it before or since. Well saved, pure green, no heat, and definitely good in front of the cattle.



  • #29
    kk.man
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 5,007 ✭✭✭kk.man


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124492062#Comment_124492062

    I always did it if I could, I remember a few years back a fella said to me you are the only one around that saved good hay this year, I said, you can't be greedy with hay, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.



  • #30
    weatherbyfoxer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,005 ✭✭✭weatherbyfoxer


    I never understood lads obsession with hay,pay around €6.50 more and you have it wrapped in plastic and a no stress.



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  • #31
    BENDYBINN
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,068 ✭✭✭BENDYBINN


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124493115#Comment_124493115

    if you get it and the neighbours dont sure you have the bragging rights for the year………



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