Any ideas of the best way to determine when hay is ready to bale & how to keep the moisture just right. Any ideas of how to market round bales of coastal hay. We are not certified organic but the land has been rested a year and no chemicals in almost 2 years.

How quick the cut grass is ready for baling largely depends on your cutter. The old swathers with condensers would throw everything in a large windrow for the baler, and this took twice as long to dry out enough to safely bale. Now, many are cutting the grass, leaving it as it falls, and then raking it after it dries into a wind-row for the baler.

It's largely a judgment call.