The end-user, whether it be the cow or the cattle feeder, is becoming more important to hay and forage producers, and because of that, the equipment in the hay meadow is changing.

New Holland introduces its BigBaler 230.

When Krone engineers began designing the new HDP II, they had two targets in mind: Increase throughput by 100% in comparison to the 1290 HDP and increase density by 10% while maintaining the same ground speed. To accomplish these goals, a complete redesign was necessary, says Niklas Beindorf, Krone sales promotion manager.

Hesston by Massey Ferguson, the industry-leading hay equipment brand from AGCO (NYSE:AGCO), will introduce and display the MF1840 small square baler at the 2013 Farm Progress Show in Decatur, Ill., Aug. 27-29. The two-twine, in-line MF1840 features a number of design enhancements that expand its capacity to bale a greater volume of hay more efficiently, even in challenging conditions. Plus, twine capacity has been increased by 60 percent for less downtime to change spools. The MF1840 balers produce 14-by-18-inch bales and replace the popular MF1839. Whether you are a livestock owner baling to feed your herd or a professional hay producer, the MF1840 will keep you moving in the hay field, producing high-quality Hesston bales even in challenging conditions.

The hay business hasn't been the same since disc mowers began replacing sickle bars. And depending upon what kind of hay and forage is being grown in a given area, implement dealers can bale some sizeable benefits as they guide customers in deciding what they need to make quality hay. Conversations with a handful of dealers across the country show growing customer interest in new mowers, and the decision on whether to add a conditioner to help with windrow formation and dry-down is affected heavily by the end-use of the forage at hand.

While bales of stalks aren't pretty, this Bt corn by-product is becoming attractive as a feedstock when hay supplies are short.

The German Agricultural Society (DLG) has announced that Bernard Krone GmbH Maschinenfabrik of Spelle, Germany, and AGCO Corp., Duluth, Ga., are the recipients of gold medals for the innovative products they will display at the 2011 Agritechnica exhibition.

Farmers supplying the nation's largest biofuels producer with corn crop residue that can be converted to cellulosic ethanol can double their income under a program approved recently by the USDA.