Farmers use a swather or a windrower for several reasons, all of which are related to the process of harvesting and preparing forage (hay or silage) for livestock. In this article, we will explore not only the reasons why but also other aspects related to this type of agricultural machinery.
Among the main reasons for using a swather or a windrower are the following:
- Efficient Forage Drying: The swather allows for cutting and swathing the forage, spreading it and turning it into uniform windrows of various crops (grass, hay, or crops like alfalfa) in the field. This facilitates aeration and drying of the forage by exposing it to sunlight and wind.
- Improved Forage Quality: By aerating and spreading the forage evenly, the chances of mold and fermentation are reduced, enhancing the quality of the forage. Losses due to decomposition are minimized.
- Optimized Haymaking Process: After the forage has dried properly, the swather forms windrows (also known as swaths) that are easy to collect and pack into bales for storage or sale.
- Enhanced Efficiency in Silage Making: For crops destined for silage, the windrower helps evenly spread the cut crops before they are compacted in silos, improving the fermentation process and forage preservation.
- Reduction of Contamination: By aerating the forage, the possibility of grass or crops staying in prolonged contact with the ground is reduced, thus avoiding contamination by soil and stones.
- Time and Resource Optimization: The swather enables farmers to manage large land areas more quickly and efficiently compared to manual methods, saving time and resources.
What is a Swather for Tractor?
A swather for a tractor, also known as agricultural swather or simply windrower, is agricultural equipment used for cutting, spreading, and forming windrows of forage (hay, grass, or crops like alfalfa) in the field.
The main function of the swather is to aerate and evenly distribute freshly cut forage to facilitate the drying process and prepare it for subsequent collection, either for haymaking or silage.
Does the Swather Cut Hay?
Yes, an agricultural swather cuts hay and any other forage. Its main function is to spread and form windrows with the already-cut forage in the field. With the windrower, we expedite the process, as what used to require a mower or conditioner for cutting forage and then a conventional swather for forming windrows, this swather head both cuts and forms windrows, performing two functions with one machine, maximizing productivity.
The swather cuts the forage, displaces it, and spreads it into uniform windrows to allow proper drying. By aerating and forming windrows, the swather facilitates the forage drying process, which is essential for preserving its quality and nutritional value. The windrows formed by the swather are then collected and baled using specific machinery for storage and future use as livestock feed.
What is the Use of a Swather?
A swather is an agricultural machine used to prepare forage, such as cut hay or grass, for drying and collection. This tool is essential in the production process of high-quality forage for livestock and contributes to more efficient agricultural management.
It is used to cut, spread forage, form windrows, facilitate forage drying, minimize losses, achieve optimal collection, and improve forage storage efficiency.
Now that you have a deeper understanding of what a swather is and why it is used, if you need one for your agricultural business, take a look at our SW swather. It is a unique head in the market with excellent features, such as the ability to adapt it to a combine harvester, a front or rear tractor, or a chopper. You can use it in a variety of crops, minimizing losses and ensuring uniform crop maturity. Learn more about our SW windrower here.
Having this head means obtaining high-quality forage for livestock.
If you need advice contact our team, we will be happy to help you find the agricultural machinery you need .
