LAST week Harry McNabb was in a quandary.

Should he buy more stock, take a photo of the feed or make more hay?

Before deciding, Harry reckoned it was worth brushing up on the important aspects of hay making.

If hay making is being undertaken to control the spring flush it is tempting to cut paddocks which are out of control.

The first rule for good hay is "rubbish in, rubbish out".

If the paddock is dominated by a species such as silver grass the quality will be low and the later the cut the lower the quality.

An advantage of silage is that weeds of all description can make reasonable fodder without spreading seeds.

That is because silage is cut early while the fibre content in thin annual grasses is still low.

But because Harry hadn't already committed to making silage this year it is probably too late.

The second rule for good hay is to cut early.

A good of indicator for cutting ryegrass is the emergence of the seed head.

And oats are best cut when the grain is forming but still milky.

The danger is that earlier-cut hay is more likely to get wet and lose quality.

As a general rule the later hay is cut the lower the feed value.

Generally hay will cure sooner when it is raked but if heavy rain is likely it may be best to leave the hay unraked in the windrow until after the rain.

When hay crops are particularly heavy, as they are this year, "tedding" within a few hours of cutting will help it cure much sooner.

Ted always gives Harry a hard time about ensuring that the hay is ready to press: "Cos we don't want to start a flamin' fire".

To ensure hay is cured Ted uses the "crank" test. This involves picking up a handful of hay from the windrow and holding it with both hands about a hand-width apart and cranking it in a motion like pedalling a bike. If the hay doesn't break it is cured.

When Harry's brother, Norm, started contracting he used the hammer test.

This is done by holding a handful of hay over a flat metal surface and hitting it with a hammer.

If moisture is left on the surface of the hammer the hay is not ready for baling.

But now, as Ted puts it, "Norm has every electronic gismo under the sun".

Norm uses a moisture meter so as not exceed the safe moisture content of 16-18 per cent for small squares, 14-16 per cent for round rolls and 12-14 per cent for large squares.

Getting the hay off the paddock and stacked as soon as it is safe is also important.