Making Hay for the winter
The weather is nice and warm now; time for making hay for the grass-fed animals.
Grass-fed animals need hay in winter. Farmers have to go with the weather and find the right time to make hay.
After the grass is cut, it should not rain on it because the hay has to dry again, and the quality is not as good.
Mathew, a young sheep farmer, is coming to make hay at our farm, and he leaves what we need for our goats.
While cutting, the haybine got stuck, and he tried for an hour in the hot sun to fix it. Hard work. Finally, he came into the shade and made it work again.
Over the weekend, he and his wife both worked hard to turn the hay and baled it.
This is for our goats > > >
The winter food for our grass-fed animals is secure. What a blessing for Animals and Humans to have Farmers.
It seems not many people know what Hay bales are and why farmers make them. I saw in the comments that people see them but never thought that they are for feeding grass-fed animals.
See also RoundUp, GMO, or Organic?
They Eat What? What Are They Feeding Animals on Factory Farms?
Aah, I love the smell of fresh-cut hay. We live on 150 acres here and the harvesting season also smells so good. I miss having goats, but still get to enjoy this. Thanks for sharing. It brings back fond memories for me. Peace
Hi Jeanne,
Me too 🙂 it smell really good ,reminds me when I was a kid jumping in the hay.
In the past it was not baled. Enjoy your memories 🙂
Peace for all
I haven’t been on a farm, but I would love to try this. Thank you for share!
Hi Imelda ,
you missed out something good .
But I am sure you smelled hay sometimes ?
Thank you for the comment.
I grew up on a farm in Arkansas as a young boy and you are bringing back memories. There is no smell like that of fresh cut hay. Thanks for sharing and bringing back some great childhood memories for me.
Hi Nathaniel ,
I am sure this are pleasant memories.
For kids it is beautiful to grow up on a farm.
Happy I could remind you ona good time .
Thank you
I guess farm life has its own advantages and hardships. Beautiful sunset picture!
Hi Priya ,
yes you are right ,it is sometimes hard ,but I like it.
To have your own greens and vegetables is great.
The sunsets are to enjoy as well
Thank you
How lovely to have those long days of sunshine to cut the hay. I think the farmers in England have trouble avoiding the rain!
Looks like Matthew did a good job and the hay looks wonderful all rolled up ready for your goats this winter – lucky Survi and friends 🙂
Jacs
Hi Jacs ,
Yes Matthew did a good job and his wife was helping him .
they work good together ,having a lot of sheep.
the hay is partly for the goats ,Survi will enjoy it.
Right now she is jumping with the others in the grass.
She is like a dog ,if somebody enters the gate I can hear her 🙂
Thank you
Hi Erika,
Not much of a farm girl in me so it’s interesting to read your posts and see the animals you have. Thank God for farmers.
Have a great day, Monna
Hi Monna ,
you are right ,thank god for the young people who are ambitious to farm.
Thank you
Lovely story Erika and Matthew sounds like a really dedicated worker. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Merle ,
yes Matthew is a good sheep farmer and a hard worker together with his wife.
Thank you
Hey Erika,
Wow, living in a farm and out of town …. I would love to have that experience someday. I love nature myself but currently living in a concrete jungle. 🙂
Thanks for sharing your story. Nice photos.
Hi Justin ,
I hope you can escape sometimes the concrete jungle
and go in to the nature,seems I should tell everybody
more about farming ,so the town people at least
have the Idea how it is on a farm .
Thank you
Hi Erika,
I always wondered about how hay was actually grown and cultivated. Not a farm gal, but a city one. It amazes me when I ride past farms and always wonder how this is done. Now..I have the answer to the question in my mind.
What a wonderful experience it is for you having everything natural. I have to hunt out places where I can get pure good organic food.
-Donna
Hi Donna ,
the easiest growing thing on the farm
is grass,sometimes it is also cultivated
and farmers put, for example, clover in the fields
the cut ,turning and baling is more work and sometimes
it is tricky to find the right time ,because it should not rain on the cut grass.
Yes ,the best thing is ,I do not have to hunt for organics, what I do not have myself
I barter with the Health food store.
Thank you for the comment
It does look like hard work. I’ve been trying to hire a gardener to move a pile of mulch from the front of the house and spread it over the back garden. It is down quite a steep hill. No one is interested in taking the job so I’m having to do it myself bit by bit.
Hi Sue,
Sometimes it is hard ,but it can be fun as well,specially if
we work together and the kids like it as well.
But I know it is not easy to find somebody to help.
Most people do not like dirty hands 🙂
Thank you
Thank you for sharing this. It is something that many of us never even think about.
Hi Elise,
yes ,I realize ,many do not know
and think about what it takes to
bring animals through the winter.
Thank you