Hay making is always an exciting time. Making high quality dairy hay is what I would call an art or science. We like to get 4-5 cuttings a year and each cutting before the alfalfa flowers. This is the second one of the year.
The healthier the soil, the more nutritious the hay, the healthier the animal, and the more nutritious the food we produce. Every year we take measures to build the life of our soil and it is coming along nicely.
Watching the weather and the alfalfa the men pick a day to mow. A sunny, low humidity forecast is great.
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| MAHLON USES THE HAYBINE TO MOW THE HAY |
Next it is time to rake. The rake flips the hay over to help dry the bottom side and puts it in windrows ready for the baler. Usually it needs to be raked twice. The smell of drying hay is wonderful!
After much discussion and walks to the hayfield the hay is declared ready to bale. Now the fun begins!
Everyone likes to be part of the process!
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| CHEWING A PIECE OF THE FRAGRANT HAY IS JUST MANDATORY They guys love to show how strong they are, and we love to watch them. This cutting is of great quality and will be ideal for our dairy cows this winter. Notice the lovely green color below! |
To the shed to save for winter days.
Stacking.....
Looks like Courage found a bale just his size!
Soon another favorite day on the farm ends. Everyone is tired and thankful to God for his blessing of good hay in the shed...a great feeling.
