Hauling Hay

 

Hay 101
Haying season is interesting because it is so unpredictable and timing is critical. It is dependent on the weather, as hay needs to be cut, dried, raked, baled, hauled and stacked out of the elements. This process takes several days. If the grass is cut when it is wet and not allowed sufficient drying time before baling, it will mold. Wet hay {more than 22% moisture} can also catch fire when stacked in the barn, because the heat and humidity cause spontaneous combustion. If it is a really rainy year, hay can grow too long and become overripe before farmers have a chance to cut it. Every year, May through July, driving to town and back, we watch the fields around us with interest wondering when will they get cut and will the farmers get it baled and picked up before it rains.

Quick, Let's Get 'Er Done!
We've been waiting for our neighboring farm/hay supplier to get their hay cut so we could put up our hay for the next year. Last week, we got a call that the hay would be ready to pick up from the field about the 5th of July. We came home from our 4th of July beach trip yesterday evening, dropped our youngest daughter off with Grandma for the night, our son at baseball practice {coordinated his pick-up with a friend}, and then Jim, Jess and I headed home to get the truck and trailer for hauling hay.

4 Ton of Hay & Sweat
We got two full trailer loads {64 bales each=128 bales/4 ton}. We left for our first load around 6:30, it took about 40 minutes to drive through the field and pick up each load, then we unloaded at home, and were back home with our last load by 9:30. Jess and I didn't help unload the last load at home as we drove to pick up Andrew. But, the load I helped Jim stack in the barn at home was hot and hard work. We were covered in hay dust and sweat. So, I am very impressed with my husband. He did most of the work. I got the easiest job of driving the truck in the field, Jess held the trailer gate and yelled stop and go, but Jim was the one picking up bales and stacking them in the trailer. I wonder if he is sore today, but he would probably not admit it if he was! Maybe next year, he'll give in and let Jess drive so I can help carry bales. The 60 pound bales are just a bit too heavy for the kids to pick up at this age. Jess did help drag a few bales with a hay hook.

Another Farm Memory=Priceless
It was physical work, but fun to do together. We felt good about getting our hay put up in one night. The hay smelled so sweet in the field and we saw a coyote with 3 pups playing out in the field. It was a beautiful summer night with a nice breeze blowing to go along with another good farm memory.

Miscellaneous Farm Update
We were lucky in all of that, to be home to notice the cow coming back into heat. We just had her serviced again this morning, and she really better take this second time. Now we're looking at an April 15th calving date. We have a third delivery of feed coming again today. So, with hay, feed and breeding expenses, we have spent $1000 in a couple days on the cattle. Last week, we vaccinated and dewormed the cow/calf (around $30 expense, including gas to pick up the vaccines). This week, we will be sending in entry fees for the 3 shows in August.