7 Supplies for Summer Haying and Baling on Small Farms

Summer brings the sweet smell of curing grass, but for the small-acreage landowner, it also signals the start of the high-stakes haying season. Managing a few acres of forage with standard, oversized tractor equipment is often impossible and highly inefficient. Having the right scaled-down tools turns a stressful race against the weather into a rewarding, manageable weekend project.

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Preparing Your Small Acreage for Summer Haying

Before the first blade of grass is cut, a small hayfield requires a thorough walk-through to clear out hidden hazards. Winter storms often leave behind fallen branches, rocks, and debris that can easily shatter a mower blade or ruin a baler. Mark any permanent obstacles, like low-lying wet spots or exposed water pipes, with tall fiberglass stakes.

Assessing the weed pressure early is equally critical for high-quality forage. Heavy patches of thistle or toxic weeds like tansy ragwort should be hand-pulled or spot-treated before they go to seed and contaminate the crop. Taking the time to prep the ground ensures a clean cut and protects expensive machinery from catastrophic damage.

How to Time Your Cut Around Summer Rain Forecasts

Timing a hay cut on small acreage is a delicate dance with the local weather forecast. Grass needs at least three consecutive dry, sunny days to cure properly from standing forage to stable, dry hay. Cutting too early risks rain damage, which leaches soluble carbohydrates and ruins the palatability of the crop.

Watch the humidity levels and wind speed just as closely as the chance of precipitation. A stiff breeze and low relative humidity will cure hay much faster than a hot, stagnant day. If the forecast shows even a twenty percent chance of rain within forty-eight hours, it is usually wiser to keep the mower in the barn and wait for a more reliable weather window.

Sickle Mower – BCS 620 Crusader Walk-Behind

A reliable mower is the foundation of the entire haying process, and standard lawn tractors simply cannot handle tall forage crops. The BCS 620 Crusader Walk-Behind equipped with a sickle bar cuts grass cleanly at the base without shredding it. This clean cut preserves the plant’s nutritional value and allows for faster regrowth in the pasture.

This specific walk-behind unit is ideal for small farms because of its low center of gravity and exceptional maneuverability around obstacles like orchard trees or fence lines. The sickle bar slices through thick orchard grass and alfalfa with ease, laying it down in neat, flat swaths.

• Engine: Honda GX270 gas engine
• Cutting Width: 30 to 53-inch sickle bar options
• Drive: All-gear drive transmission with no belts to slip

Operating this machine requires some physical stamina, as you will be walking behind it over uneven terrain. Regular maintenance involves keeping the sickle teeth sharp and properly tensioned to prevent tearing the grass. It is the perfect fit for landowners managing one to five acres, but it is not built for large-scale commercial fields where tractor-mounted disc mowers are necessary.

Mini Belt Rake – Molon 120 Manual Belt Rake

Once the grass is cut, it must be fluffed to dry and then gathered into neat windrows for the baler. The Molon 120 Manual Belt Rake attaches directly to a two-wheel tractor, serving as a dual-purpose tool that both tedds (spreads) and rakes. Without a proper rake, hay will dry unevenly, leading to damp pockets that rot inside the bale.

The Molon 120 stands out because of its gentle handling of delicate leaves, particularly with legume crops like clover or alfalfa. It uses flexible tines mounted on a rotating belt to lift and shift the crop rather than dragging it through the dirt. This keeps dust and soil out of your livestock feed.

• Working Width: 47 inches (120 cm)
• Functionality: Easily converts from tedder to rake with a simple lever adjustment
• Compatibility: Fits BCS and Grillo two-wheel tractors

Users should note that adjusting the height correctly is crucial; setting it too low damages the pasture turf and introduces dirt into the hay. It takes a bit of practice to master the ground speed relative to the belt rotation speed. This rake is perfect for small-scale growers who value clean, leaf-rich hay, but it is not intended for high-speed, wide-acre operations.

Mini Round Baler – Abbriata M50 Mini Baler

Baling converts loose, dry windrows into dense, transportable packages before the weather turns. The Abbriata M50 Mini Baler produces compact round bales that are highly resistant to water penetration if left in the field temporarily. These mini round bales are light enough to be moved by hand, eliminating the need for heavy front-end loaders.

This Italian-engineered machine is built specifically for small-acreage farmers using compact utility tractors. It features a reliable twine-wrapping system and a rotary packing system that ensures consistent bale density from the core to the outer edge.

• Bale Size: 20 inches wide by 28 inches in diameter
• Bale Weight: 35 to 55 pounds (adjustable)
• Power Requirement: Minimum 15 horsepower at the PTO

Keep in mind that mini balers require a slow, steady ground speed to prevent clogging the pickup mechanism. The shear bolts must be checked regularly, as they protect the gears if a rock or thick clump of damp hay enters the chamber. This baler is an excellent investment for independent hobby farmers, but it is not suitable for those without a tractor featuring a standard PTO.

Baler Twine – Bridon Sisal Baler Twine 9000

High-quality baler twine is the only thing keeping your hard work from exploding back into loose grass during transport. Bridon Sisal Baler Twine 9000 is a natural fiber twine that offers excellent knot strength and consistency. Cheap, low-grade twine often snaps under tension or slips out of the baler’s knotter mechanism, causing frustrating field delays.

Sisal is highly recommended for small farms because it is fully biodegradable and safe for livestock. If a strand of sisal is accidentally left in the pasture or consumed by an animal, it breaks down naturally, unlike synthetic plastic twines.

• Length: 9,000 feet per carton (two spools)
• Material: 100% natural sisal fibers
• Knot Strength: 130 pounds tensile strength

Because sisal is a natural fiber, it is susceptible to rot if stored in damp conditions or left on wet ground. It must be kept in a dry, rodent-proof container before use, as mice love to chew on natural fibers for nesting material. It is the best choice for eco-conscious farmers feeding their own stock, but synthetic twine might be preferred if bales will be stored outdoors uncovered for long periods.

Moisture Tester – Delmhorst F-2000 Hay Meter

Guessing the moisture level of your hay by feel is a recipe for disaster. The Delmhorst F-2000 Hay Meter provides precise digital readings of the moisture content inside your windrows and finished bales. Baling hay that is too wet leads to mold growth, ruined feed, and potentially catastrophic barn fires.

This rugged, hand-held meter features an easy-to-read digital display and a durable steel probe that easily penetrates dense bales. It measures electrical resistance to give you an accurate moisture percentage in seconds, allowing you to make informed decisions in the field.

• Moisture Range: 6% to 40% accuracy range
• Probe Length: Available with 10-inch or 18-inch probes
• Statistics: Tracks average readings and highest readings for multiple bales

To get accurate readings, users must test several areas of a bale, as moisture can vary significantly from the outer edges to the core. The probe tip must be kept clean of sap and organic buildup to maintain calibration. This tool is an absolute necessity for any farmer storing hay indoors, though it may be overkill for those who only bale small amounts for immediate outdoor feeding.

Hay Hook – Seymour Midwest 32-Inch Hay Hook

Moving dozens of bales from the field to the wagon, and then into the loft, takes a heavy toll on your back and hands. The Seymour Midwest 32-Inch Hay Hook extends your reach and provides a secure, ergonomic grip on dense mini-bales. Using a hook prevents the constant bending that leads to lower back strain and keeps your hands away from rough twine.

This specific hook is constructed from high-carbon steel with a comfortable T-handle grip that won’t slip out of gloved hands. The 32-inch length is ideal for reaching across a trailer bed or pulling bales down from a high stack without awkward stretching.

• Material: Heat-treated alloy steel hook
• Handle: Solid wood or textured steel T-grip
• Length: 32 inches for maximum leverage and reach

Users should handle this tool with caution, as the sharp tip can cause serious injury if it slips out of a loose bale. Always pull the hook toward your body with controlled force, and never use it on loosely bound bales that might fall apart mid-lift. It is an indispensable tool for anyone stacking hay manually, but it is unnecessary if your operation is fully mechanized with bale spears.

Heavy Duty Tarp – Tarpco Safety Waterproof Tarp

Even with the best planning, summer storms can roll in unexpectedly before the hay is safely tucked away in the barn. The Tarpco Safety Waterproof Tarp offers heavy-duty protection to shield loaded hay wagons or outdoor stacks from sudden downpours. Unprotected dry hay will quickly absorb moisture, ruining the entire batch in a matter of hours.

This tarp is engineered with a thick, woven polyethylene weave and reinforced edges to withstand high winds without tearing. The heavy-duty rustproof grommets are spaced closely together, allowing you to tie it down securely to trailers or ground stakes.

• Material: 14 mil thick heavy-duty polyethylene
• Features: UV-resistant coating, reinforced corners, and rope-in-hem design
• Grommet Spacing: Every 18 inches along the perimeter

When using a tarp for hay, it is vital to allow for some ventilation underneath to prevent condensation buildup, which can cause mold. Never wrap a damp stack tightly; instead, tent the tarp to allow air to circulate over the top of the bales. This tarp is a vital insurance policy for any small-scale farmer, though it requires sturdy tie-down straps to remain effective in windy conditions.

Best Practices for Stacking and Storing Hay

Stacking hay correctly in the barn is just as important as baling it at the right moisture level. Always start with a dry, elevated foundation using wooden pallets to keep the bottom layer of bales off the damp dirt or concrete floor. This air gap prevents moisture from wicking upward and spoiling the bottom row of your harvest.

Stack the bales in an alternating, interlocking pattern—similar to bricklaying—to ensure the stack remains stable and won’t collapse. Leave small gaps between the columns of bales to promote continuous airflow throughout the barn. This ventilation allows any residual heat and moisture to escape safely rather than building up inside the stack.

Monitoring Barn Temperature to Prevent Fires

Freshly baled hay naturally undergoes a curing process that generates heat during the first two to three weeks in storage. If the hay was baled with too much moisture, bacteria will multiply rapidly, driving internal temperatures to dangerous levels that can trigger spontaneous combustion. Monitoring this temperature is a critical safety task that cannot be ignored.

Insert a compost thermometer or a dedicated temperature probe deep into the center of the hay stack daily for the first month. If the internal temperature remains below 120 degrees Fahrenheit, the hay is curing safely. However, if temperatures climb above 150 degrees, the stack must be monitored hourly, and anything over 170 degrees requires immediate evacuation of the bales and a call to the local fire department.

Evaluating Your Feed Needs for the Coming Winter

Once the hay is safely stored, it is time to calculate whether your summer harvest will sustain your livestock through the winter months. Start by multiplying the daily dry matter intake of your animals by the estimated number of feeding days. For example, a standard sheep or goat consumes about three to four percent of its body weight in dry forage daily.

Always factor in a fifteen to twenty percent waste margin, as animals will naturally trample and reject some of the feed. If your calculations show a deficit, it is far cheaper and easier to purchase supplemental hay during the late summer than to scramble for expensive, scarce bales in the depths of winter. Planning ahead ensures your animals stay healthy and your feed budget remains intact.

Summer haying on a small farm is a demanding but deeply satisfying cycle of hard work and careful timing. Equipped with the right scaled machinery and safety tools, you can confidently secure high-quality forage for your animals. With your barn safely stocked, you can look forward to the coming winter knowing your homestead is fully prepared.