Hay is a grass or other herbaceous plant that has been cut, raked, and baled.

It is fed to particular grazing livestock:Cattle HorsesGoatsSheep

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Commonly used plants for hay include mixtures of grasses such as:RyegrassTimothy BromeFescueBermuda GrassOrchard GrassAlfalfa

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In the central valley alfalfa is the most common hay harvested.

It is also the most popular and important forage crop grown in California.

Not only is it the oldest cultivated forage crop, but it is also one of the most palatable and nutritious.

It is rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals.

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For quality hay, it must be cut right before the alfalfa is going to bloom.

Swathers are used to cut the alfalfa.The main purpose of the swather is to

cut, condition and make windrows of the hay.

The front of the swather is a 14-foot long reel that cuts the hay.

The back two wheels rotate to make sharp turns.

Before raking check the hay in the windrow.In the afternoon check to see if 70% of the

windrow is dry.When 70% of the windrow is dry and you

have 15-20% moisture then that is the best time to rake it.

For raking, drive the circular rakes between two of the windrows that the swather made and combine them into 1 large windrow.

The two most popular balers are small three-string and the 4x3 big baler.

Small balers start baling at 13% moisture and end at 20%.

Big balers start baling at 9% of moisture and end at 17%.

The stacker is used when the hay has been made into bales and is ready to be moved.

It picks up the bales in the field and stacks them for easier storage.