It has been a soggy few days as we approach the end of May. Conditions today (Thursday, 5/29) are not ideal for cutting forage intended to be baled dry, due to the high moisture content in the forage and scattered showers continuing to affect the area throughout the day.
Looking Ahead: Cutting Prospects for Friday and the Weekend
Friday (5/30):
Conditions are expected to improve, though isolated showers remain possible overnight Thursday into early Friday. Some patchy fog may also develop during the morning hours. By late morning and into the afternoon and evening, skies are expected to turn mostly sunny. High temperatures should reach the mid-70s, with surface winds from the north at 7 to 10 mph. Relative humidity around 55 percent should support drying. However, due to the already high moisture levels in both the crop and soil, expect the forage to remain quite wet, and field conditions to be soft and damp.
Saturday through Monday (5/31 to 6/2):
These three days present good to great drying potential. Temperatures will continue to warm, and dry conditions are expected through Monday evening. This stretch may offer the best window for those needing a longer dry-down period.
The Time Crunch:
Rain chances return Tuesday (6/3) morning and may persist into Wednesday. This creates a tight window for harvesting and baling, especially in fields with heavier forage or higher moisture levels. In such cases, tedding may help improve drying rates throughout the weekend and increase the chances of reaching ideal baling moisture by Monday afternoon.
WoolawayWx Recommendation:
If you are dealing with light to moderate forage yields, have smaller acreage, or have sufficient labor and equipment (such as tedders), the weekend window from Friday afternoon through Monday may provide a viable opportunity for harvesting and baling before rain returns early next week.
Legal Disclaimer:
This information is provided for general planning and informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as agricultural, meteorological, or legal advice. Weather conditions can change rapidly and vary significantly by location. WoolawayWx is not responsible for any decisions or actions taken based on this information. Always consult local forecasts, agronomy experts, and consider your own operational capabilities when making forage management decisions.