You can swath the crop with most mowers, but a disc-mower is preferred. ... Some type of conditioning is necessary to help get the crop dry enough to bale. It should be less than 20% moisture, preferably 15%, when it is baled.

Can you cut corn for hay?

If nitrogen levels are low, it is better to bale the crop for hay, says Mr Vough . Studies have also shown that cutting with a mower, rather than a forage harvest result in higher yields. However, Mr Lardy does not recommend cutting the corn down and then baling it in a large bale format.

Why do farmers bale corn stalks?

Baling corn stalks not only wastes time and money, it robs the soil of needed carbon. ... protect the soil during the winter. Removing the corn stalks results in bare soil all winter long which is truly. lamentable and a sign of poor farming.