An ordinary differential equations model describing the drying rate of hay

An ordinary differential equations model of the form dM(t)/dt=k(M(t) -Me(t)) is developed as a means to determine the moisture content of hay t hours after it has been cut. The drying constant k is determined with the aid of data supplied by the Plant and Soil Science Department at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. The model is then used to determine a dew deposition parameter δ. This parameter estimates the amount of additional moisture in the hay each morning attributed to dew. The model is then used to estimate the moisture content of hay over a period of several days.