By Tracy Turner
Hay producers who want boost their profit potential and stay up to date on hay harvest techniques can plan to attend a workshop on June 23, led by experts from Ohio State University Extension and the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center.
The Hay Day program covers a broad range of hay production topics including mowing, tedding, raking and baling hay, said Christine Gelley, an OSU Extension educator. Bale wrapping will also be a focus of the program, and implement dealers will have featured equipment on display, she said.
OARDC and OSU Extension are the research and outreach arms, respectively, of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University.
Protective storage
The techniques taught at the workshop are important for hay producers because they can influence how effectively a producer can protect their hay from the elements, including moisture, which can impact the nutritional quality of the hay, Gelley said.
“We will talk about various techniques for bale wrapping to protect the hay during storage,” she said. “Protective storage helps preserve the quality of the hay for future use.”
Moisture was an issue last spring for hay producers, many of whom experienced delayed harvests due to excess rain in June that kept them out of their fields, Gelley said.
“If harvest is delayed, hay can become over-mature, which could negatively impact the nutritive value and number of cuttings possible during the season, making it even more important to preserve the supply of good quality hay on hand,” she said.
Demonstrations, tour
The workshop is from 4 to 8:30 p.m. at the Eastern Agricultural Research Station, 16870 Township Road 126, in Belle Valley. The event is free and includes a meal, but registration is required by June 9, Gelley said.
Participants will also see demonstrations using harvesting equipment, learn various harvesting and storage techniques, and take a farm tour of the agricultural research station, Gelley said.
To reach the Eastern Agricultural Research Station, take exit 28 off I-77. Turn south on State Route 21. Go east (left) on State Route 215 for about one mile. Then turn right onto Bond Ridge Road (a township road) and look for signs.
The facility is one of eight OARDC outlying agricultural research stations located around Ohio.
Source:purdue.edu