Crop Guide · Southeast Production · Texas · Florida · Georgia
Guia de enfardamento de feno de grama-bermuda
Bermudagrass is the dominant summer hay crop across the Southeast and Gulf Coast states — from coastal Texas to central Florida and throughout Georgia and the Carolinas. Baling bermudagrass well requires managing a curing window that is significantly narrower than most western hay crops and understanding how the fine-stem structure of the grass behaves differently from alfalfa at the pickup and chamber. This guide covers everything specific to bermudagrass small square bale production.
Covers: curing timeline · optimal moisture window · SE humidity management · rake settings · bale density by market · quality problems · equipment recommendations
Bermudagrass Characteristics That Affect Baling
Bermudagrass differs from alfalfa and northern hay crops in ways that directly affect baling management:
Fine stem structure
Bermudagrass stems are significantly finer than alfalfa. This means faster surface drying but also faster leaf damage when the crop is too dry at raking or pickup. The fine structure packs differently in the bale chamber — density settings must be adjusted for bermudagrass versus coarser crops.
Rapid moisture response
The fine stem absorbs and releases moisture faster than thick-stem crops. This means bermudagrass dries faster on sunny days — but also re-wets faster when humidity rises in the evening. The practical baling window can be as narrow as 3 hours in peak summer Southeast conditions.
Cutting frequency
Bermudagrass is cut every 4–6 weeks through the growing season in the Southeast — up to 6–7 cuttings per year in south Texas and Florida. Each cutting requires its own curing window management. The high cutting frequency makes scheduling precision essential.
Premium horse hay market
Southeast bermudagrass in small square bale format is a premium horse hay in Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas. Horse buyers pay for green color, appropriate weight (18–24kg) and low dust. Managing the baling window correctly is directly connected to the per-bale price the market will pay.
Curing Timeline for Southeast Bermudagrass
Standard Southeast Summer Timeline
| Day / Time |
Activity |
Target Condition |
| Day 1 — Morning (06:00–09:00) |
Cut and condition. Lay in full-width swath for maximum exposure. |
Freshly cut, conditioning rolls engaged. Wider swath = faster drying. |
| Day 1 — Midday (10:00–13:00) |
Ted if needed — early enough that leaves are still 60%+ moisture. |
Surface visible drying. Tedd only before 13:00 to avoid dry-leaf shatter. |
| Day 2 — Morning (06:00–09:00) |
Rake into windrows. Core will be re-wetted from overnight dew. |
Surface moisture 40–60% — leaves still pliable. Probe core: 22–28%. |
| Day 2 — Afternoon (13:00–17:00) |
Test and bale if moisture is in range. |
Probe core: 14–17%. Stop baling before 17:00 when humidity rises. |
| Day 3 — Afternoon (if Day 2 was too wet) |
Second afternoon window. Higher leaf loss risk as crop ages. |
Probe core: 13–15%. Watch for yellowing — sign of over-drying. |
This timeline assumes clear summer weather with daytime highs above 30°C and afternoon relative humidity below 65%. Overcast or partly cloudy days add 12–24 hours to the timeline. Overnight rain resets the curing clock — a re-wetted windrow requires another full day of drying.
Optimal Moisture Window for Bermudagrass
Too Dry — Below 12%
Leaves are brittle and shatter at tine contact. Green colour fades to yellow-brown after baling. Bale appears dry and dusty. Crude protein per tonne is reduced by leaf loss. Bales below 12% moisture produce significant leaf shatter at pickup — common in bermudagrass left in the windrow past Day 3 in hot dry conditions.
Optimal — 14–17%
Leaves are pliable and survive pickup and compression without shattering. Green colour is retained in the bale. Low heating risk in covered storage. This is the target window for premium horse hay bermudagrass. Typically achieved on Day 2 afternoon in standard summer Southeast conditions.
Too Wet — Above 18%
Bale will heat in storage. Mold risk especially in interior bales in a tight stack. Colour changes to brown as bale heats. Bermudagrass is more susceptible to mold than alfalfa in the 18–22% range because the fine-stem structure provides a dense substrate for mold growth once conditions are right.
Managing the Narrow Southeast Baling Window
The 3-Hour Window Problem
In peak summer Southeast conditions (July–August in Florida, coastal Texas, Louisiana), the combination of daytime dew point above 20°C and afternoon thunderstorm risk produces a functional baling window of approximately 13:00–16:30 — 3.5 hours at most. Before 13:00, the overnight re-wetting from the previous dew cycle has not fully evaporated; after 16:30, humidity rises ahead of afternoon storm development and surface re-wetting begins.
Managing this window requires: pre-noon preparation (rake ready, baler pre-checked, tractor fuelled) so baling can begin precisely at 13:00; a helper to manage bale collection while baling continues without interruption; and a hard stop at 16:30 regardless of how much windrow remains.
For bermudagrass production in a 3-hour window: the 9YF-2200 in standard summer conditions produces approximately 60–80 bales per hour at correct forward speed for bermudagrass windrows. In 3 hours: 180–240 bales. Plan the cutting area so that a 3-hour session can complete each cutting in 1–2 sessions — do not cut more area than 480 bales worth per cutting unless you can complete two sessions on two consecutive afternoons when conditions are good.
Rake Settings and Windrow Preparation for Bermudagrass
Windrow Width for Bermudagrass
Rake bermudagrass into windrows at 60–70% of the baler pickup width — narrower than the maximum width used for alfalfa. The reason: bermudagrass fine stems create a denser windrow cross-section than alfalfa at the same width, and narrower windrows allow more complete solar penetration to the windrow core. This 20–25% reduction in windrow width can reduce curing time by 3–6 hours in humid conditions — potentially moving the baling window from Day 3 to late Day 2.
Rake Timing for Leaf Retention
Rake bermudagrass in the early morning — 06:00–09:00 — when surface moisture is 45–60%. At this moisture level, bermudagrass leaves are still pliable and do not shatter at tine contact during raking. Late-morning raking (after 10:00) in hot sunny conditions risks encountering surface moisture below 30%, at which point the fine bermudagrass leaves are extremely brittle and shatter extensively during the raking pass.
For wheel rake operation on bermudagrass: set the rake tine tip height to the minimum clearance above the ground that avoids soil pickup — typically 15–20mm in level fields. Bermudagrass typically lies lower than alfalfa after cutting and requires a lower rake tine height to capture the windrow completely without soil contamination. Wheel rake speed should be conservative — 6–8 km/h maximum — to avoid the fan effect from faster wheel rotation that can blow detached bermudagrass leaves off the swath before they are captured in the windrow.
Bale Density Targets by Market
| Market |
Target Bale Weight |
Key Quality Priorities |
| Premium horse hay (FL, GA, TX equine) |
18–24kg |
Green colour, low dust, firm knot, consistent weight. Bale at 14–17% moisture only. |
| Beef cattle (Southeast forage) |
22–30kg |
Higher density acceptable. Some browning tolerated. Focus on energy content and freedom from mold. |
| Dairy cattle (quality forage markets) |
22–28kg |
Crude protein above 12%, low ash content, freedom from mold. Baling moisture must be below 17%. |
| Japan / Korea export (premium coastal bermuda) |
18–22kg |
Strict ash content specification (under 2%), high crude protein, specific moisture specs. Fan system baler preferred for ash control. |
Machine Settings for Bermudagrass Density
Bermudagrass fine stems pack more efficiently than coarse crops — the same tension spring setting produces a denser bale from bermudagrass than from thick-stemmed alfalfa. Start with a lower density setting when baling bermudagrass and increase incrementally to target bale weight. Over-tensioning the spring in bermudagrass can cause consistent miss-ties because the very compact, fine-stem bale presents higher ejection resistance than the knotter mechanism experienced in the coarser crop it was adjusted for. Run 10 calibration bales at the start of each bermudagrass season and weigh them to establish the correct tension setting.
Common Bermudagrass Quality Problems and Causes
Yellow or Brown Bale ColourMost common quality complaint
Causes: baling below 12% moisture when leaves are brittle and have already lost chlorophyll; sun bleaching from extended windrow exposure beyond Day 3; heating after baling from excess moisture; or a combination of late-afternoon baling when the crop has dried well past the optimal window.
Prevention: bale between 14–17% core moisture; do not let bermudagrass sit in the windrow beyond Day 3; bale by 16:30 at the latest; and monitor the afternoon moisture trajectory — in hot dry conditions the crop can pass through the optimal window in as little as 2 hours.
Dusty or High-Ash BalesExport and horse market concern
Causes: pickup height set too low — tines contact the soil surface and collect soil particles alongside the bermudagrass; raking too aggressively in dry conditions that picks up dry soil crusts from the surface; very dry baling conditions where leaf shatter creates fine particle dust in the bale chamber.
Prevention: set pickup height to the minimum clearance that avoids soil contact — typically 25–35mm in bermudagrass fields; for export markets requiring ash below 2%, the fan system on the 9YFS-2.2 removes soil particles from the material stream before compression, consistently producing lower-ash bales than standard models in the same conditions.
Loose Bales from Fine StemsSetting adjustment needed
Causa: density spring setting carried over from a coarser-stem crop (cotton stalk, first-cut alfalfa) is often too low for bermudagrass. The fine stems require less compression force per unit volume but need the correct setting to produce the target bale weight. A setting optimised for coarser crops often produces a bale 15–20% lighter from bermudagrass.
Consertar: run 10 calibration bales at the start of each bermudagrass season and increase the density setting incrementally until the target bale weight is achieved. Bermudagrass typically requires a slightly higher spring tension setting than alfalfa to produce the same bale weight in kg, because the fine stems pack with fewer voids per unit volume than alfalfa and require more compression force to reach the same weight.
Heating and Mold in Horse Hay BalesStorage failure from excess moisture
Causa: baling above 18% core moisture — common when time pressure forces early afternoon baling before the crop is ready, or when overnight re-wetting is more severe than expected after a humid night. Bermudagrass fine stems in a dense bale provide an excellent environment for mold once the moisture threshold is crossed.
Prevention: probe test windrow cores — not just surface feel — before baling. Do not bale unless core reads below 17%. If weather forces baling at 17–19%, apply hay preservative at the manufacturer rate and store in single-layer for 48 hours before stacking. Do not stack fresh bermudagrass bales more than 3 layers high until moisture has stabilised below 15%.
Equipment Recommendations for Bermudagrass Production
9YF-2200 — Standard Bermudagrass Production
The 9YF-2200 with spring-tooth pickup is the correct model for the majority of bermudagrass operations targeting domestic horse and cattle markets. The 2,200mm spring-tooth pickup handles bermudagrass windrows at the recommended 60–70% pickup width efficiently, and the standard compression mechanism produces bales in the 18–28kg range at appropriate tension settings. This model provides the right combination of field efficiency and simplicity for Southeast producers at the common scale of 100–200 acres per season.
9YFS-2.2 — Export and Premium Ash-Control Production
For bermudagrass operations targeting Japanese or Korean export markets where ash content must be below 2%, the 9YFS-2.2 with the negative-pressure fan system is the model of choice. The fan system generates an inward airflow through the material stream that removes soil particles and fine dust from the crop before compression — consistently reducing bale ash content by 30–50% compared to standard models in the same conditions. This fan system benefit is most pronounced in bermudagrass because the fine-stem structure picks up proportionally more surface soil particles than coarser crops.
PTO and Drive Specifications for Southeast Conditions
Frequently Asked Questions — Bermudagrass Hay Baling
When is the best time of year to cut bermudagrass for horse hay in Florida?+
The highest-quality bermudagrass hay for horse markets in Florida is typically produced in the late spring cuttings (April–May) and early fall cuttings (September–October) rather than peak summer. The reasons: lower dew point temperatures in April–May and September–October provide a wider baling window — typically 5–6 hours — compared to the 3-hour window in July–August. Extended curing time is less critical because overnight re-wetting is less severe. The crop is also at a denser, leafier growth stage in these shoulder seasons. The colour in April and October cuttings is typically better than July–August because lower UV intensity reduces bleaching in the windrow. July–August cuttings are necessary for seasonal production continuity but are more challenging to produce at premium quality than spring and fall cuttings.
Can I bale bermudagrass on Day 2 morning if surface moisture is low?+
Surface dryness in Day 2 morning is not a reliable indicator of core moisture in bermudagrass. The fine stems dry rapidly at the surface while the interior of the windrow retains the moisture from overnight re-wetting. A bermudagrass windrow that feels dry to the touch at 09:00 on Day 2 may have a core moisture reading of 22–26% — well above the safe baling threshold. Always probe-test the windrow core at 10–15cm depth before making any Day 2 morning baling decision. In most Southeast conditions, core moisture at 09:00 on Day 2 is still too high for safe baling without preservative. Wait for the afternoon window when solar radiation and ambient temperature have had several hours to reduce the core moisture to the 14–17% range.
What causes my bermudagrass bales to turn yellow after just a few weeks in the barn?+
Post-baling yellowing of bermudagrass in storage has two different causes with different remedies. First: yellowing from mild heating — even at baling moistures of 16–18%, a bermudagrass bale stacked in a warm barn in August can reach 45–50°C during initial curing, causing carotenoid breakdown that appears as yellowing. This type of yellowing stabilises after 2–3 weeks and the hay is nutritionally acceptable. Prevention: leave bales in a single layer for 48 hours after baling before stacking in summer. Second: yellowing from the baling moisture being too high (above 20%) causing significant heating and some protein breakdown. This yellowing does not stabilise and the hay will show brown spotting and a hay-like smell. The distinction: yellowing-only bales are warm but not hot to the touch; over-moistured bales are hot to the touch within 3–5 days and may show visible mold on the ends or sides within 2–3 weeks.
How many cuttings of bermudagrass hay can I expect per year in central Texas?+
In central Texas under normal rainfall years, bermudagrass yields 4–6 cuttings from May through September on rainfed stands. Irrigated bermudagrass can yield 6–8 cuttings from April through October. Each cutting requires 4–6 weeks of regrowth before the stand reaches baling quality — attempting to cut before this regrowth period produces thin, low-yield windrows with poor standability. First cutting in late April or early May establishes the stand quality for the season — cutting too early before the first cutting is well established produces poor season yields. The highest quality cuttings are typically the second and third (June–July) when the stand is fully established and growth is dense and leafy. Late season cuttings (August–September) may show reduced leaf density and crude protein as the plant prepares for dormancy. Plan the irrigation or rainfall management to support consistent 5–6 week regrowth cycles between cuttings for maximum season yield.
What twine strength should I use for bermudagrass small square bales?+
For bermudagrass bales in the 18–24kg target weight range: 110kg knot strength polypropylene twine is the standard specification. This provides a 4.5–6× safety factor over the maximum bale weight, which is appropriate for the dynamic load during bale ejection. At higher density settings that produce bales above 26kg for cattle markets: upgrade to 130–140kg rated twine. For export markets that require specific twine types — some Japanese buyers require sisal twine to avoid plastic contamination risk in feed — verify your buyer specification before purchasing twine. A key operational note for bermudagrass: the fine stems do not create the same peak ejection load as thick-stem crops, so the standard 110kg twine is rarely the cause of twine breaks in bermudagrass baling. If you are experiencing twine breaks with bermudagrass, the most likely cause is tension disc over-tightening rather than insufficient twine strength — back off the disc tension by a half-turn and retest before upgrading twine grade.
Does bermudagrass require a different pickup speed than alfalfa?+
Bermudagrass baling typically allows slightly higher forward speed than first-cut alfalfa because the windrow density is lower — a bermudagrass windrow at the same rake width as alfalfa has significantly less mass per metre length. Standard forward speed for bermudagrass in a well-formed single-pass windrow at 60–70% of pickup width: 6–8 km/h on the 9YF-2200. This is 10–20% faster than the comfortable speed for heavy first-cut alfalfa. However, bermudagrass is more sensitive to forward speed in terms of leaf loss at the pickup — in dry conditions below 14% moisture, higher forward speeds increase the tine impact velocity and worsen leaf shattering. In dry-crop conditions (late afternoon when the crop may be below 14%), reduce forward speed to 4–5 km/h to reduce tine impact velocity and minimise leaf loss even though the crop is light enough to handle a higher speed from a plugging-risk standpoint. The goal is to match forward speed to the tine impact requirement for leaf retention as well as to the inlet capacity for blockage prevention.
Can I bale bermudagrass with a preservative during the June–August window?+
Yes — hay preservatives (propionic acid or buffered propionic acid) extend the safe baling moisture threshold for bermudagrass from approximately 17% to 19–21%, allowing baling to begin slightly earlier in the afternoon window when the crop has not yet fully reached the ideal 14–17% range. This is a useful tool during July–August in central Florida or coastal Texas when the window is narrowest and completing the full cutting in one 3-hour session requires starting before the ideal moisture is reached. Apply preservative at the manufacturer rate for the moisture level measured at baling — under-application provides insufficient protection. Note that some premium horse hay buyers and all export buyers should be asked whether they accept preservative-treated hay before applying. Preservative acceptance varies: most domestic equine buyers do not test for it and accept treated hay without issue; some organic certification schemes require natural-fibre untreated hay. Confirm your buyer position before treating export or certified-organic lots.
Why do my bermudagrass bales have a different texture on the outside versus the inside?+
The outer bale surface texture difference from the inner core is typical of bermudagrass and results from the compression pattern in the bale chamber. The outer surface of a small square bale is the face that was in contact with the chamber wall or the previous bale during compression — this surface is pressed smooth and the grass stems are aligned in a consistent direction. The inner core of the bale has a more random stem orientation from the multiple plunger strokes that built up the bale section by section. This texture difference is structural, not a quality issue. A buyer inspecting the cut end of a bale will see more random stem orientation; looking at the outer face they see the pressed smooth surface. This is the normal appearance of a correctly baled small square bale regardless of crop species.
Get the Right Baler for Your Bermudagrass Operation
From the 9YF-2200 for domestic horse and cattle markets to the 9YFS-2.2 for export-grade low-ash bermudagrass — the Série 9YF covers every bermudagrass market. Tell us your target market, state and annual bale volume and we will confirm the right model for your operation.
America Ever-Power Forage Baler Equipment INC. · 1401 21st ST STE R, Sacramento, CA 95811
Editor: Cxm
