We've had so much rain this spring that it has been hard for farmers, including us, to get the hay cut and baled.
Finally this weekend my husband managed to get the big field cut and baled. It is the latest I remember that field being cut in 30 years.
He was assisted by our nephew, who loves to help.
Those tracks in the field indicate where it was still swampy when they were rolling up the bales.
At this point the hay has lost most of its nutritional value and is mostly good for straw or bedding.
But you have to cut it to get it off the field and make way for the next cutting.
It is labor-intensive work.
It is tough on nice days like this past weekend, but very difficult in 90 degree heat that comes later in summer.
Hay goes to the cows or horses.
The cows eventually go to slaughter.
This is part of the work it takes to make a hamburger, the part that most people don't see.
They are supposed to cut hay here this week, but I don't know if they will make it. It is looking sort of like rain, again. I guess it is a good thing we no longer have horses and need the hay for them.
ReplyDeleteWe were late cutting hay, too. But luckily it didn't get rained on—and we had a bumper crop of 255 round bales.
ReplyDeleteWe were late cutting hay, too. But luckily it didn't get rained on—and we had a bumper crop of 255 round bales.
ReplyDeleteAnd we all love hamburgers! Great post, Anita!
ReplyDeleteLovely post!
ReplyDeleteOne of our friends up here makes her living haying her farm with square bales for horses. She's had an AWFUL time of it this year!
Glad you were able to get yours cut and baled!