With all but a small area of second-cut grass successfully baled, wrapped and stacked, I can rightfully claim the whole episode was completed without the assistance of either the tedder or wuffler.

Both pieces of kit remained tucked away in the shed and given some of the awkward conditions associated with conserving baled grass in recent years, I consider this to be something of an achievement. As usual, however, that doesn’t paint an entirely accurate picture.

I aim to make somewhere upwards of 300 bales. This is something of an elastic arrangement and the potential for inclement weather, coupled to a variance in dates for dairy heifers leaving here in the autumn creates a need for flexibility.

Also, because some fields are grazed in the spring, while others aren’t, it means that silage making here tends to be done one field at a time.

Fantastic weather

This year proved to be no different, and we began by taking full advantage of the fantastic weather conditions in May.

With initial fertiliser applications starting in mid-March and mostly being completed by early April, there were no lurking concerns regarding nitrogen in the grass. Therefore, we began to mow on 12 May on an ungrazed four acre hill.

In truth, I was gagging to get a start made and told myself (and the contractor) that it was a definite eight bale per acre crop. When the four acres yielded just over five per acre, I realised that the rest would have to bulk up a bit.

Nonetheless, it was a pleasure to handle those bone-dry bales, despite being mowed and baled without so much as a wuffle or scatter.

Despite weather conditions that made you ache to get at it again, I waited another 10 days before taking a rattle at the main area (18 acres).

With both fields having ewes wintered on them, the subsequent delay for a week and a half translated into almost nine bales to the acre.

This was a bit more like it and had me recalculating the numbers needed to stave off Silage Anxiety Syndrome (symptoms tend to typically be repetitive counting of diminishing bale numbers as the winter progresses).

Less suitable

Favourable baling weather continued into the start of June, and the second last field was done, again, with the basic mow, bale, wrap, stack, and still no sign of the tedder.

Unfortunately, a spell of broken weather then arrived and on the 7 June we baled a seven acre hill in less suitable conditions. This was, like all the rest, simply dropped one evening and baled the next morning, but under totally different circumstances. I’d guess that grass must have almost doubled in bulk in a two-week period from May into June.

I knew this field was beginning to dip in quality and realised it would be a smash-and-grab job but also was determined not to mow it when the heavy crop was wet (no-one likes a soggy bottom, do they?).

So, after a dry and sunny Friday we decided to take a chance, and it was dropped. The baler man was less confident than me next morning, with passing showers and a heavy, overcast sky. However, I stuck to my guns and argued that it was mown dry, and this was by far the most important consideration.

Consequently, we went ahead and baled it up. Fourteen bales per acre, and I honestly believe it wouldn’t have managed half that number a fortnight previously. I think the fermentation will be fine (probably helped by the increasing amount of headed grass in the bales), although I can’t help wondering how much of that higher yield is due to unwilted grass?

Given the subsequent dull and showery conditions, I’m happy with my decision making, although that choice was made simple by the percentage of dry bales previously saved.

I’m already looking forward to analysing various lots and comparing the figures. That is, of course, until the stemmier, wet sample throws up a better analysis than the May silage which had all that sunshine baled into it. At that point, I’ll be more confused than ever.