Easy Forage Moisture Test For Baleage

We perform a Microwave-based test on alfalfa to determine the current moisture in the crop! We are aiming for 40-60% moisture for optimal fermentation to preserve the quality of the hay after it is wrapped.
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How Farms Work by Ryan Kuster is a KZread channel based in rural Potosi, Wisconsin. Our mission is to teach those who didn't grow up on a farm what the farming life is like. These videos show the Kuster family working together raising cattle and crops. We believe everyone who wants to know more about farming should be able to share the farming experience with us and we look to educate the world on many essential agriculture topics.
How Farms Work takes place on ~1,100 acres with around 75-200 cattle at any given time. Four John Deere tractors are currently used on the farm, which are a 4020, 4640, 7600, and 8235R.

Пікірлер: 177

  • @Blackwellll3066
    @Blackwellll3066 Жыл бұрын

    Single Ryan has a vacuum Married Ryan has a robot vacuum lol

  • @stanhensley3082
    @stanhensley3082 Жыл бұрын

    Ryan,take it from an old man married for 51 years!! Do not use the house microwave 🙄 to check hay moisture. Go to a yard sale and buy an old cheap one to do your test in your shop. Fun video!! Thanks 😊.

  • @erniebigbie3211
    @erniebigbie3211 Жыл бұрын

    Ryan, I have baled a lot of baleage the last 10 years. I prefer baling the windrows just the way yours are laying. Yes it is more travel for the baler but bales much better and you can run faster. It may dry more than you want by raking it.

  • @papapapa4102
    @papapapa4102 Жыл бұрын

    I’ve dried lumber for over 35 years. The method we used to determine mc was, wet minus dry, divided by wet, times 100. It’s very accurate, and I believe it works for pretty much anything. And you don’t need a specific amount of sample.

  • @ranger5721
    @ranger5721 Жыл бұрын

    congrats and welcome back to youtube

  • @markmortensen4341
    @markmortensen4341 Жыл бұрын

    I've seen guys take a piece of PVC pipe and cap the end and drill a hole in big enough for the probe to go in. Stuff it full and then test. Take care!

  • @danlowery3235
    @danlowery3235 Жыл бұрын

    I was wondering what Miss Hannah was going to say about this!

  • @23431
    @23431 Жыл бұрын

    Welcome to the brotherhood of having a wife to question you all the time lol happy wife=happy life

  • @GM-dv1db
    @GM-dv1db Жыл бұрын

    Great job Ryan! Good luck on hay/ baleage making.

  • @andrewbusshardt4533
    @andrewbusshardt4533 Жыл бұрын

    Thanks Ryan that was very interesting on the drying fact pretty cool!!! Thanks for taking the time to show us that and for continuing with the outstanding videos as always. Also thanks for showing your wedding was awesome felt like got to be part of the special day. Congrats again Ryan and Hannah and wish u guys all the best and a great life together!!! Have a good one!!!

  • @nicholasbeauchamp6470
    @nicholasbeauchamp6470 Жыл бұрын

    Another great video Ryan !!

  • @byteblaster_ee
    @byteblaster_ee Жыл бұрын

    Note to self, send Ryan an old Microwave for Mad Science Experiments..

  • @jaybergman2306
    @jaybergman2306 Жыл бұрын

    Congratulations to the two of you!

  • @Tom-ku5kd
    @Tom-ku5kd Жыл бұрын

    Pretty amazing to see how u can test the moisture in the hay.

  • @saunookweather5196
    @saunookweather5196 Жыл бұрын

    Great video. Love all the videos you do for us non farmers. I always learn something in your videos.

  • @michaelmcmorrow4332
    @michaelmcmorrow4332 Жыл бұрын

    Love this channel. Every time I get a notification I get exited

  • @wranther
    @wranther Жыл бұрын

    Awesome Dude! A matching shirt to go with a fine cap! Keep that baling going round and round! -Bob...

  • @tinafitzwater972
    @tinafitzwater972 Жыл бұрын

    So happy for you guys and hope she is in more videos

  • @craigmiller5372
    @craigmiller5372 Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the video Ryan!

  • @jeronb6793
    @jeronb6793 Жыл бұрын

    Love videos that's a neat way to figure moisture!!

  • @adrianowen8769
    @adrianowen8769 Жыл бұрын

    Great video!

  • @firebirdmanwa9830
    @firebirdmanwa9830 Жыл бұрын

    Great vid as usual Ryan!

  • @SimonKL11
    @SimonKL11 Жыл бұрын

    Can't wait to see the wrapper in action again👍😉

  • @johntaylor5313
    @johntaylor5313 Жыл бұрын

    Thanks Ryan! Cool trick

  • @rickymajors1428
    @rickymajors1428 Жыл бұрын

    Congratulations to you two

  • @michaelweatherhead9470
    @michaelweatherhead9470 Жыл бұрын

    Great video Ryan.

  • @rostrander73
    @rostrander73 Жыл бұрын

    Ty for sharering and the contest

  • @finterjohnston7882
    @finterjohnston7882 Жыл бұрын

    Very interesting process......thanks for sharing

  • @RsmvTmoody1
    @RsmvTmoody1 Жыл бұрын

    Send some hay down south! We are bad dry and hay is very short.

  • @patkelly7999
    @patkelly7999 Жыл бұрын

    Great stuff Mrs and Mr Kuster👌👍😎

  • @brittblanton8342
    @brittblanton8342 Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the video Ryan, very interesting experiment looking forward to seeing you guys baling it👍🇺🇸

  • @jarredaltfillisch7663
    @jarredaltfillisch7663 Жыл бұрын

    Very interesting, thanks for the video

  • @davidthorne2129
    @davidthorne2129 Жыл бұрын

    Have been contractor doing this for over 30 years in Australia. Easier quicker test is take good handfull in both hands close together and screw it till breaks(needs some strength). If you can feel moisture on break to wet it looks/feels dry to dry but looks moist it’s right. Have done hundreds of thousands bales this way.

  • @maxmoo3275

    @maxmoo3275

    Жыл бұрын

    That works well for DRY hay not high moisture baleage.

  • @danfinley3690
    @danfinley3690 Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for another cool video

  • @hawser2088
    @hawser2088 Жыл бұрын

    Congrats to the new boss, sorry to hear that you have been demoted so soon Ryan.

  • @HowFarmsWork

    @HowFarmsWork

    Жыл бұрын

    It's a demotion I can live with! 🤣 You were the winner of today's random drawing! Please email me at howfarmswork@gmail.com to receive your coupon code to get a free How Farms Work American Classic Tee!

  • @charleslynch7274
    @charleslynch7274 Жыл бұрын

    I got a couple laughs out of this video always love your sense of humor

  • @georgesaari1708
    @georgesaari1708 Жыл бұрын

    Congratulations on your wedding ! About your tee shirts, is it possible to design them with pockets ?

  • @philm9750
    @philm9750 Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the videos!

  • @daveconger6199
    @daveconger6199 Жыл бұрын

    Another awesome video…thanks

  • @russellgnuse
    @russellgnuse Жыл бұрын

    That was pretty cool 👍

  • @CodesterGames
    @CodesterGames Жыл бұрын

    paper plates are always microwaveable XD

  • @michaelmuckian8820
    @michaelmuckian8820 Жыл бұрын

    Very easy way to get divorced if ruin the microwave! I would say a bucket probe is safer and remember test at points in field as will dry differently. Some manufacturers offer a sensor for a baler also in Europe to read it for you

  • @jordanschneider6505
    @jordanschneider6505 Жыл бұрын

    It was a really good first cut hopefully you get alot of bales out of it.

  • @FARMALLL666
    @FARMALLL666 Жыл бұрын

    DIDNT SEE YOU AROUND FOR AWHILE. FIGURED YOU WERE TIRED HAD TO REST UP AFTER THE WEDDING...LOL LOL

  • @israelmathes6268
    @israelmathes6268 Жыл бұрын

    In East TN in normal conditions we usually mow in the morning the bale and wrap the following afternoon. The bailer usually goes in about 20 minutes after the rake starts.

  • @devinhood7114
    @devinhood7114 Жыл бұрын

    Awesome videos

  • @rickfloyd2608
    @rickfloyd2608 Жыл бұрын

    Yes

  • @r.scotthill3082
    @r.scotthill3082 Жыл бұрын

    A great video on what not to know about baleage.

  • @nalley6815
    @nalley6815 Жыл бұрын

    Hey he’s got a Raikes hat on! Pretty cool

  • @connorafflick7160
    @connorafflick7160 Жыл бұрын

    Keep up good content almost at 300😎

  • @myk55501
    @myk55501 Жыл бұрын

    Hey, this reminds me of the "Burrito verse Microwave" Yeah That exploded huge... I have a new microwave now

  • @kakeboss72
    @kakeboss72 Жыл бұрын

    Love the video I don’t have any ideas but I’ll see if the German farmers have a good ideas

  • @williamgasser7834
    @williamgasser7834 Жыл бұрын

    Congratulations on your wedding

  • @donnapatten285
    @donnapatten285 Жыл бұрын

    great info

  • @SemperFido9915
    @SemperFido9915 Жыл бұрын

    Hey, Ryan! I have nothing to say about moisture content, but I'll definitely buy the new shirt when it comes out.

  • @scottmelnyk9719
    @scottmelnyk9719 Жыл бұрын

    Ryan forgot to clean the microwave after cooking grass. Lingering smells and tastes lol. To the dog house you go🤣🤣🤣

  • @thedonhams1
    @thedonhams1 Жыл бұрын

    That was very interesting

  • @ronniewalker2881
    @ronniewalker2881 Жыл бұрын

    Good 👍 job man

  • @HM-0410
    @HM-0410 Жыл бұрын

    Congratulations on your wedding.

  • @pennyhaldeman5626
    @pennyhaldeman5626 Жыл бұрын

    Congratulations again on your marriage, wishing you all the best in the years ahead.

  • @JimsEquipmentShed
    @JimsEquipmentShed Жыл бұрын

    Thats pretty interesting actually.

  • @fynbo1007
    @fynbo1007 Жыл бұрын

    How will it take to dry the grass to bale? Thank you for sharing your story. God bless you and your family.

  • @peter5parker173
    @peter5parker173 Жыл бұрын

    Finally gonna be back up in Wisconsin this weekend. I’ve been living in Iowa this summer and I just fell icky lol.

  • @busterbailey370
    @busterbailey370 Жыл бұрын

    Great video Ryan lol

  • @robertlee8714
    @robertlee8714 Жыл бұрын

    I use a windrow moisture sensor but I only bale dry hay for horses. It seems to be accurate, no issues at this point.

  • @AhmedLoonat
    @AhmedLoonat Жыл бұрын

    Ryan, interested to hear your thoughts on a JD 4520

  • @daleley7645
    @daleley7645 Жыл бұрын

    Never heard of a method like that, always thought you just guessed when it was ready.

  • @matthewzuck287
    @matthewzuck287 Жыл бұрын

    Hello great video have a nice day

  • @skindersingh8744
    @skindersingh8744 Жыл бұрын

    Very nice 👍

  • @debsmith6112
    @debsmith6112 Жыл бұрын

    I like videos that are both informative and entertaining. 👍🏻😉 Very interesting on how to check the moisture. And it's not grass it's roughage and every diet needs a little roughage LOL. I need to get me some of those new t-shirts I like the design it's very cool. 🇺🇲 As always, love your videos!!

  • @pikelakekenny1546
    @pikelakekenny1546 Жыл бұрын

    Never knew what the moisture was that high after so many hours after you cut it good experiment

  • @andrewduff4719
    @andrewduff4719 Жыл бұрын

    Here’s the comment from On the other side of the river in NE Iowa !

  • @russellmoore6567
    @russellmoore6567 Жыл бұрын

    Yes Ryan they are micrwaveabke

  • @jasonclark3127
    @jasonclark3127 Жыл бұрын

    You can use the bale moisturizer meter and grab a handful just squeeze it around it and check the moisture that way

  • @ar-taqarmando226
    @ar-taqarmando226 Жыл бұрын

    I have only a congratulations to you two, again, and a city boy like me really does need a farm on Shirt.

  • @gerryhoffman5667
    @gerryhoffman5667 Жыл бұрын

    Hey Ryan, interesting, we have baled & wraped 2 - 10 hrs after cutting, raking one hr. Before baling, excellent feed. Great video, 👍

  • @jerrylansbury9558

    @jerrylansbury9558

    Жыл бұрын

    Your so right......most people / farmers dont know how to handle wet hay. Most times Ive cut and baled hay off the field the same day. Gain almost another crop per year......in growing back time. Major savings ! Been wrapping hay for 20 years........Id never do dry hay again !

  • @timgraner9111
    @timgraner9111 Жыл бұрын

    Ryan you can get a moisture tester that a lot of farmers use before chopping hay and corn silage. You weigh out your 100 grams plug the tester in for 30 minutes and bam you have your moisture

  • @larrysheriff8251
    @larrysheriff8251 Жыл бұрын

    Good luck or should I say be Blessed with the baleage!

  • @russzimmermann8657
    @russzimmermann8657 Жыл бұрын

    Hi there. Congrats. There are moisture probs you can buy. Was around 100.00 in canada

  • @BearMeat4Dinner
    @BearMeat4Dinner Жыл бұрын

    Ryan great video as usual! That shirt would be nice at my new lucky 13 in upstate ny!!

  • @thomaslyon2112
    @thomaslyon2112 Жыл бұрын

    Congratulations on your marriage. I hope you have a Grate harvest. Take care of her, they really only come around once.

  • @oldschool3441
    @oldschool3441 Жыл бұрын

    Winner winner hay dinner lol

  • @johnwilimczyk4188
    @johnwilimczyk4188 Жыл бұрын

    Aha cooking GRASS now, your supposed to SMOKE it HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

  • @warrenw2u
    @warrenw2u Жыл бұрын

    Ryan, I'm sure you already know this but we use a Koster tester. True, it is more expensive than the microwave but once you own one you will have a more reliable test and you would probably never need to replace it considering how often it would be used.

  • @afarmlife

    @afarmlife

    Жыл бұрын

    I'm just here for the shirt lol 2x

  • @koolman2021
    @koolman2021 Жыл бұрын

    Woo-hoo bloop !!!

  • @craigatchison4042
    @craigatchison4042 Жыл бұрын

    really love your videos is there any way of getting your shirts in like xlt or 2xlt

  • @doclull1989
    @doclull1989 Жыл бұрын

    Hey Ryan!! Wonder who thought up nuking hay? Have a great weekend.

  • @jasonnichols70
    @jasonnichols70 Жыл бұрын

    There’s nothing like the smell of freshly cut alfalfa. Its has to be the best smell.

  • @davidraaf3865
    @davidraaf3865 Жыл бұрын

    Try agratronix windrow moisture tester.

  • @fazerainbow5674
    @fazerainbow5674 Жыл бұрын

    awsome video ryan lol i can just imagine how hannah feels about the hole hay in the microwave thing hehehehehehe that was funny i do got to say that thumbs up and shared

  • @nickpetrancosta7812
    @nickpetrancosta7812 Жыл бұрын

    Your awesome

  • @matthewdickson1983
    @matthewdickson1983 Жыл бұрын

    How is the crops doing the beans in the corn are they going pretty good and how much rain did y'all get

  • @kylemanausa2315
    @kylemanausa2315 Жыл бұрын

    You probably should get yourself a “shop” microwave. 😂

  • @richardbloomfield1247
    @richardbloomfield1247 Жыл бұрын

    Congratulations on getting married Ryan and I hope that you make more videos

  • @robertratliff115
    @robertratliff115 Жыл бұрын

    Good luck

  • @peterbiltpilot516
    @peterbiltpilot516 Жыл бұрын

    I've never done that test before but i remember hearing people say to not use a good microwave in your house when you do it because of the smell it makes

  • @kevinsiedschlag9096
    @kevinsiedschlag9096 Жыл бұрын

    You can also use your oven to test it

  • @hossdunn8727
    @hossdunn8727 Жыл бұрын

    Great video on the moisture test and by the way remember happy wife happy life

  • @theopautsch2311
    @theopautsch2311 Жыл бұрын

    Would be interesting to bale a bale and take the moisture with the probe and use this method

  • @SomeGuyFromOttawa
    @SomeGuyFromOttawa Жыл бұрын

    Winner winner, chicken dinner! 😜