Following a mild winter with very few frosts, 2014 harvests have seen more green cane in the swath than ever before. With moisture levels of 16% or less delivering very best prices for growers, it’s crucial to check crop is fully senesced and dry before baling.
As many of our growers are well aware, sometimes baling green cane can lead to a bale ‘sweating,’ which can then negatively affect moisture readings days later. This highlights the importance of getting the crop cut as soon as the ground permits and leaving it in the swath to dry for as long as possible.
If you have had no choice but to bale some of your crop with green cane present, you must be extra vigilant with moisture sampling and where possible, store the bales in a well-ventilated barn to dry out further. Fluctuations in moisture readings will soon settle if green cane is only present in small parts of the bale.
Ultimately dry crop will always pay more. This means growers investing the time and effort at this stage will reap the rewards in the long run, whilst also avoiding unwanted bale rejections at the processing plant.
If you have any questions, or would like to purchase a moisture meter, call us on 01522 731 873.