{"id":652,"date":"2026-05-26T05:18:43","date_gmt":"2026-05-26T05:18:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/silage-baler.com\/?p=652"},"modified":"2026-05-26T05:19:28","modified_gmt":"2026-05-26T05:19:28","slug":"how-to-reduce-crop-loss-when-mowing-hay","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/silage-baler.com\/bn\/application\/how-to-reduce-crop-loss-when-mowing-hay\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Reduce Crop Loss When Mowing Hay"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Where Hay Disappears Between Mowing and the Bale<\/h2>\n

Australian hay producers commonly accept field losses of 10\u201315% as normal \u2014 a figure so familiar that many do not question it. On a 20-hectare paddock of perennial ryegrass yielding 5 tonnes of dry matter per hectare, a 12% loss means 12 tonnes of hay that was grown, fertilised, and irrigated but never reaches the bale. At AUD $250 per tonne farmgate value, that is AUD $3,000 of foregone revenue from a single paddock \u2014 or AUD $30,000 across a 200-hectare season. The sources of this loss are well understood and, critically, most are controllable through mowing technique, equipment setup, and timing decisions rather than additional capital investment. Crop loss occurs at three stages: during mowing (cut material left in the stubble), during wilting and tedding (leaf shatter and wind displacement), and during raking and baling (material the baler cannot pick up). This article focuses on the mowing stage \u2014 the first and often largest source of loss \u2014 and the equipment settings and operating practices that minimise it when using a traction single-blade mower like the 9GD-2.5.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Mower<\/p>\n

Every tonne of forage lost between mowing and baling represents real revenue that was grown but never harvested.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The Three Types of Mowing Loss and Where They Occur<\/h2>\n

Not all field loss is the same. Understanding the mechanism behind each type of mowing-stage loss reveals which adjustments have the greatest impact.<\/p>\n

Stubble Loss: Forage Left Standing Below the Cutter Bar<\/h3>\n

The largest single source of mowing-stage loss is the standing stubble itself. On a ryegrass sward with 70 mm of residual stubble, approximately 8\u201312% of total standing dry matter remains in the paddock. This proportion increases with higher cutting heights and decreases with lower ones \u2014 but lowering the cut below 50 mm on ryegrass damages regrowth, as discussed in our cutting-height guide. The practical target is the lowest height that preserves regrowth without sacrificing future cuts. For the 9GD-2.5, setting the skid shoes to 55\u201365 mm on improved ryegrass captures the best balance. Every 10 mm reduction in cutting height captures approximately 0.15\u20130.25 tonnes per hectare of additional dry matter in the swath \u2014 real tonnage that converts to bales at zero additional growing cost.<\/p>\n

Scatter Loss: Cut Material Thrown Outside the Swath<\/h3>\n

When the mower blade cuts through a stem, the severed portion falls into the swath formed between the mower’s wheels. Most of it lands where the rake and baler can collect it. But short, fine material \u2014 particularly ryegrass leaf tips and lucerne leaflets \u2014 can be thrown sideways or forward by blade momentum, wind, or centrifugal force. This “scatter” lands in the stubble outside the swath width, where neither the rake nor the baler can reach it. Scatter loss is worst in dry, leafy crops mowed at excessive ground speed. Reducing speed from 12 km\/h to 9 km\/h in dry ryegrass typically reduces scatter loss by 20\u201330% because the blade interacts with fewer stems per stroke, generating less lateral throw. Maintaining sharp blades also helps \u2014 a clean shear generates less material disruption than a ragged tear.<\/p>\n

Uncut Loss: Stems Missed by the Blade<\/h3>\n

A properly maintained and adjusted sickle-bar mower should cut 98\u201399% of the stems within its cutting width. The remaining 1\u20132% are stems that slip between guard fingers or fold under the bar. This figure climbs rapidly when guards are bent, blade sections are missing, or the knife bar has excessive lateral play from a worn pitman ball joint. A single bent guard on the 9GD-2.5 creates a 75 mm ribbon of uncut crop running the full paddock length \u2014 on a 500-metre run, that is 37.5 square metres of uncut forage per pass. Over a full paddock, multiple bent guards compound into measurable tonnage loss. Pre-mowing guard inspection (five minutes) eliminates this source almost entirely.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Round<\/p>\n

Every bale represents forage that made it through mowing, raking, and baling without being lost \u2014 maximising that recovery rate is the goal.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Six Adjustments That Cut Mowing Losses by 20\u201340%<\/h2>\n

None of these adjustments require additional equipment purchases. All are achievable with standard maintenance tools and awareness of operating conditions.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
1<\/div>\n
\n

Optimise Cutting Height for Your Specific Crop<\/p>\n

Set skid shoes to the lowest height that preserves regrowth: 55\u201365 mm for ryegrass, 70\u201380 mm for lucerne. Check and equalise both shoes on level ground before each session. Every unnecessary 10 mm of stubble height leaves 0.15\u20130.25 t\/ha of harvestable forage in the paddock.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
2<\/div>\n
\n

Match Ground Speed to Crop Density<\/p>\n

In light pasture, 10\u201312 km\/h is efficient. In dense ryegrass or lucerne, slow to 7\u20139 km\/h. The lower speed increases knife strokes per metre, ensuring every stem is cut cleanly and reducing lateral scatter of fine material. The daily acreage drops slightly, but the recovered tonnage per hectare rises \u2014 net output per day can actually improve.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
3<\/div>\n
\n

Sharpen or Replace Blades at the Right Interval<\/p>\n

A sharp blade cuts cleanly and drops the stem directly into the swath. A dull blade tears and flings material, increasing both scatter loss and uncut loss. Swap or sharpen every 15\u201320 ha in light grass, every 8\u201312 ha in dense lucerne. The AUD $120\u2013$180 cost of a replacement section set is recovered in a single paddock of improved cut quality.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
4<\/div>\n
\n

Inspect and Replace Bent Guards Before Every Session<\/p>\n

Walk the bar end to end and sight along the guards. Any bent guard creates a ribbon of uncut crop. Straighten or replace \u2014 carry 3\u20134 spare guards on rocky country. Five minutes of inspection prevents hours of lost forage across a full paddock.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
5<\/div>\n
\n

Mow With \u2014 Not Against \u2014 the Crop Lean<\/p>\n

If the crop has a prevailing lean from wind or irrigation, mow in the direction of the lean so stems feed into the blade rather than folding away from it. This is particularly important in lodged (flattened) crops, where mowing against the lay can leave 30\u201350% of the lodged material uncut and lying in the stubble.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
6<\/div>\n
\n

Avoid Mowing in Wet Conditions<\/p>\n

Dew-laden or rain-wet stems clump and clog guard openings. Clogged guards push crop aside rather than cutting it, dramatically increasing uncut loss. Wait until the dew lifts (usually by 9:00 AM) and avoid mowing within 6 hours of rainfall. The hours lost waiting are recovered in improved cut quality and faster dry-down.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Quantifying the Value of Reduced Loss<\/h2>\n

The following table illustrates the financial impact of reducing mowing-stage losses from a typical 12% to an achievable 6% \u2014 a halving that is realistic with consistent application of the six adjustments above. Figures are based on a 200-hectare ryegrass hay operation at 5 t\/ha standing DM and AUD $250\/t farmgate value.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Metric<\/th>\n12% Loss (Typical)<\/th>\n6% Loss (Improved)<\/th>\nDifference<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Standing DM (200 ha)<\/td>\n1,000 t<\/td>\n1,000 t<\/td>\n\u2014<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Loss at mowing<\/td>\n120 t<\/td>\n60 t<\/td>\n60 t saved<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
DM entering swath<\/td>\n880 t<\/td>\n940 t<\/td>\n+60 t<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Farmgate value (@ $250\/t)<\/td>\n$220,000<\/td>\n$235,000<\/td>\n+$15,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

An additional AUD $15,000 in recovered revenue per season \u2014 from management changes that cost nothing beyond attention and discipline. Over a five-year mower lifespan, the cumulative gain is AUD $75,000 \u2014 more than the purchase price of the mower itself. For higher-value crops like export lucerne at AUD $450\u2013$600 per tonne, the numbers approximately double.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Finger<\/p>\n

Clean, complete mowing produces dense, uniform swaths that rake and bale with minimal further losses downstream.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

How the 9GD-2.5 Design Minimises Crop Loss<\/h2>\n

Several design features of the 9GD-2.5 traction single-blade mower directly address the loss mechanisms described above. The reciprocating sickle-bar cutting action produces a clean shear with minimal lateral material throw \u2014 fundamentally less scatter than a high-speed disc mower, which cuts by impact and generates significant centrifugal throw at 2,800\u20133,000 rpm. The towed chassis with independent wheel suspension allows the cutter bar to follow ground contours independently of the tractor, maintaining a consistent cutting height across undulations that would cause a mounted mower to scalp high spots and miss low spots. The field-replaceable knife sections and bolt-on guard plates allow rapid in-paddock maintenance \u2014 a bent guard can be swapped in under five minutes without returning to the workshop. And the adjustable skid shoes provide precise height control across the 50\u2013100 mm range, allowing the operator to dial in the optimal stubble height for the specific crop and growth stage in each paddock.<\/p>\n

Downstream Losses: How Mowing Quality Affects Raking and Baling Recovery<\/h2>\n

Mowing losses do not exist in isolation. The quality of the mowed swath directly influences how much additional material is lost during raking and baling \u2014 the next two stages in the harvest chain. A clean, evenly spread swath with consistent stem length dries uniformly, rakes into a tight windrow without excessive leaf shatter, and feeds smoothly into the baler pickup. A ragged swath with uncut patches, uneven height, and scattered fine material creates problems at every subsequent stage. The rake must work harder to gather scattered material, increasing leaf shatter (the most nutritious part of the plant). The baler encounters variable windrow density, causing inconsistent bale size and weight. In total, poor mowing quality can add 5\u20138% additional losses at the raking and baling stages that would not have occurred with a clean mow \u2014 compounding the mowing-stage losses into a total field loss of 18\u201325%. Conversely, best-practice mowing reduces total chain losses to 8\u201312%, capturing an additional 6\u201313 percentage points of the standing crop in every bale.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Traction<\/p>\n

The quality of every bale traces back to the mowing pass \u2014 clean mowing is the highest-leverage point for reducing total harvest losses.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Build a Loss-Reduction Routine Into Your Season<\/h2>\n

The adjustments that reduce crop loss are not one-time fixes \u2014 they require consistent daily attention throughout the mowing season. EverPower Baling Machinery Australia supports this with rapid spare-parts supply (blade sections, guards, skid shoes) stocked at its Condell Park NSW warehouse for same-day dispatch to metropolitan Sydney and 2\u20133 day delivery to most regional centres. Having the right parts on-hand when they are needed \u2014 rather than running degraded equipment while waiting for a delivery \u2014 is the practical foundation of low-loss mowing. Contact the team at +61 2 9708 3322 or sales@silage-baler.com for a spare-parts starter kit tailored to your mower and season length.<\/p>\n

\n

\"EverPower<\/p>\n

EverPower’s quality inspection ensures replacement parts meet original specifications for consistent field performance.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Order a Spare-Parts Starter Kit<\/a><\/div>\n

Recommended Product: 9GD-2.5 Traction Single-Blade Mower<\/h2>\n
\n
\"9GD-2.5<\/div>\n

The 9GD-2.5 is designed for low-loss mowing across Australian forage crops. Its reciprocating sickle-bar shear minimises scatter, the towed chassis follows ground contours for consistent height, and field-replaceable blade sections and guards keep the cutter bar in peak condition with minimal downtime. 2.5-metre cutting width, 540 rpm PTO, compatible with 60\u201380 hp tractors. Full spare-parts stock at EverPower’s Sydney warehouse.<\/p>\n

Get Pricing & Availability \u2192<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n
\n
\n1. What is a realistic mowing-stage loss percentage to aim for?+<\/span><\/summary>\n
With consistent best practice \u2014 correct cutting height, sharp blades, good guards, and appropriate ground speed \u2014 mowing-stage losses of 5\u20137%<\/strong> are achievable. This compares to a typical industry average of 10\u201315% when these factors are not actively managed.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n
\n2. Does a sickle-bar mower lose more or less crop than a disc mower?+<\/span><\/summary>\n
Sickle-bar mowers generally produce less scatter loss<\/strong> because they cut by shearing at low speed rather than by high-speed impact. Disc mowers at 2,800\u20133,000 rpm generate significant centrifugal throw that flings fine material outside the swath. However, disc mowers may achieve slightly lower uncut loss on rough, rocky ground where sickle guards can be damaged. On smooth paddocks, the sickle bar has the overall advantage for crop recovery.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n
\n3. How do I know if my mower is losing too much crop?+<\/span><\/summary>\n
Walk behind the mower after a few passes and examine the stubble. Look for: ribbons of uncut grass (bent guards), scattered leaf material outside the swath width (excessive speed or dull blades), and inconsistent stubble height (uneven skid shoes). Even a visual assessment across 50 metres of stubble reveals the dominant loss mechanism.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n
\n4. Should I mow lodged (flattened) crop differently?+<\/span><\/summary>\n
Yes. Always mow in the direction of the crop lean<\/strong> so stems feed into the blade. Mowing against the lay can leave 30\u201350% of lodged material uncut. In severely lodged crops, reduce ground speed to 5\u20136 km\/h and consider lowering the cutting height by 10\u201315 mm to catch more of the flattened stems.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n
\n5. Where can I get spare blades and guards for the 9GD-2.5?+<\/span><\/summary>\n
Contact EverPower Baling Machinery Australia at +61 2 9708 3322<\/strong> or sales@silage-baler.com<\/strong>. Blade section sets, individual sections, guard plates, and spare-parts starter kits are stocked at the Condell Park NSW warehouse with same-day metropolitan dispatch and 2\u20133 day regional delivery.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n
\n

Stop Losing Revenue in the Stubble<\/p>\n

EverPower stocks every wear part for the 9GD-2.5 \u2014 blades, guards, skid shoes, pitman kits \u2014 so you never run degraded equipment during the harvest window.<\/p>\n

Order Parts Before the Season<\/a><\/p>\n

EverPower Baling Machinery Australia Pty Ltd \u00a0|\u00a0 27 Harley Crescent, Condell Park NSW 2200
\n\ud83d\udcde +61 2 9708 3322 \u00a0|\u00a0 \u2709\ufe0f sales@silage-baler.com<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Where Hay Disappears Between Mowing and the Bale Australian hay producers commonly accept field losses of 10\u201315% as normal \u2014 a figure so familiar that many do not question it. On a 20-hectare paddock of perennial ryegrass yielding 5 tonnes of dry matter per hectare, a 12% loss means 12 tonnes of hay that was […]<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-652","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-mower"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/silage-baler.com\/bn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/652","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/silage-baler.com\/bn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/silage-baler.com\/bn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/silage-baler.com\/bn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/silage-baler.com\/bn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=652"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/silage-baler.com\/bn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/652\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":658,"href":"https:\/\/silage-baler.com\/bn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/652\/revisions\/658"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/silage-baler.com\/bn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=652"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/silage-baler.com\/bn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=652"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/silage-baler.com\/bn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=652"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}