The Influence of Time of Cutting upon the Yield and Composition of Hay

Abstract

The study of two years' hay crops indicates that the composition of the hay steadily changes throughout the period commonly covered by the hay-making season.The nature of the change depends to some extent upon the character of the season. In the summer of 1909 when the climatic conditions favoured steady growth there was a steady production of protein and fibre and a considerable assimilation of ash ingredients, notably silica. In the following summer the effects of a severe climatic set-back in the later part of June was seen in an almost complete suspension of growth, and notably in the production of protein.In both seasons there was a steady fall all round in the digestibility of the hay, which in the end more than counterbalanced the increase in weight of the crop.In both seasons the best results were obtained by cutting about the beginning of July. A fair amount of latitude in the time of cutting —say, a week or 10 days—may be allowed, however, without very seriously impairing the nutritive value of the crop. There was evidence, nevertheless, in each year of appreciable deterioration after the middle of July.