Editing Hay (section)

== Harvest and transport ==

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Methods and the terminology to describe the steps of making hay have varied greatly throughout history, and many regional variations still exist today. Whether done by hand or by modern mechanized equipment, tall grass and legumes at the proper stage of maturity must be cut, then allowed to dry (preferably by the sun), then raked into long, narrow piles known as [[windrow]]s. Next, the cured hay is gathered up in some form (usually by some type of baling process) and placed for storage into a haystack or into a [[barn]] or shed to protect it from moisture and rot.

During the growing season, which is spring and early summer in [[temperate]] [[climate]]s, grass grows at a fast pace. Hay reaches its peak nutritional value when all leaves are fully developed and seed or flower heads are just shy of full maturity. At this stage of maximum growth in the pasture or field, if timed correctly, the hay is cut. Grass hay cut too early retains high moisture content, making it harder to cure and resulting in a lower yield per acre compared to more mature grass. However, hay cut too late becomes coarser, has a lower resale value, and loses some of its nutrients. Typically, there is a two-week "window" during which grass is at its ideal stage for harvesting hay. The time for cutting [[alfalfa]] hay is ideally done when plants reach maximum height and are producing flower buds or just beginning to bloom, cutting during or after full bloom results in lower nutritional value of the hay.

Hay can be raked into rows as it is cut, then turned periodically to dry, particularly if a modern [[swather]] is used. Or, especially with older equipment or methods, the hay is cut and allowed to lie spread out in the field until it is dry, then raked into rows for processing into bales afterwards. During the drying period, which can take several days, the process is usually sped up by turning the cut hay over with a [[hay rake]] or spreading it out with a [[tedder (machine)|tedder]]. If it rains while the hay is drying, turning the windrow can also allow it to dry faster. Turning the hay too often or too roughly can also cause drying leaf matter to fall off, reducing the nutrients available to animals. Drying can also be sped up by mechanized processes, such as the use of a [[Conditioner (farming)|hay conditioner]], or by the use of chemicals sprayed onto the hay to speed [[evaporation]] of moisture, though these are more expensive techniques, not in general use except in areas where there is a combination of modern technology, high prices for hay, and too much rain for hay to dry properly.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=University of Wisconsin-Extension |url=http://www.uwex.edu/ces/forage/wfc/proceedings2003/equipment.htm |author=K. J. Shinners and R.T. Schuler |title=Equipment to rake and merge hay and forage |access-date=2007-05-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070515064044/http://www.uwex.edu/ces/forage/wfc/proceedings2003/equipment.htm |archive-date=2007-05-15 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Once hay is cut, dried and raked into windrows, it is usually gathered into bales or bundles, and then hauled to a central location for storage. In some places, depending on geography, region, climate, and culture, hay is gathered loose and stacked without being baled first.

{| style="margin: auto"
|-
| [[File:Haymaking - geograph.org.uk - 980046.jpg|thumb|A tractor mowing a hay field, with the cut hay lying in the foreground]]
| [[File:NRCSIA99200 - Iowa (3095)(NRCS Photo Gallery).jpg|thumb|A [[round baler]] dumping a freshly rolled hay bale]]
| [[File:Haytruck.jpg|thumb|Modern small-scale transport. Pickup truck loaded with "large square" bales]]
|}