Field methods

Field method of drying in windrows or in swath is commonly practised. In the earlier method the harvested material occupies one third to half of the field and in the latter the entire field is the spread area. In windrows, drying is faster than in swath, because of the opening of the stomata in the lower layers.

For hay making the harvest has to be taken up after the dew has dried. The harvested fodder has to be allowed for curing in the field itself, and has to be turned after every 4-5 hours. By the evening the moisture content could have reduced from 75% to 40% and it has to be loose heaped in windrows. Next day it requires 1 or 2 turnings. The moisture content by the second day afternoon could have reduced to 25% provided the sunshine is not interrupted and it is ready for storing as bales or for storing in tripod stand.

At the end of curing the moisture content will be around 20% or less and it is ready for storing. Normally 70-75 sunshine hours are required for drying the grass in the-field method. For rainy season hay curing sheds are recommended.