Raking hay
This morning I raked all the hay, with gale force winds (which are good for the drying ) and storms passing overhead (which would not be good). I need to bale today it today. It is right on the cusp of being ready.
We are full speed ahead trying to get everything ready for the baler but one area has red clover in it and that takes so long to dry. We are just baling everything we can while we wait.
My hay man is out in his fields planting his corn so I have three of his sons helping me.
(above; I turned compost on the weekend).
We are just waiting for the last of the hay to dry now – I have been on the go outside since 5am this morning. Even the workers started earlier this morning. Time now for a short break before I go out with my pitch fork and turn the wetter areas again.
I am cajoling it into drying. If I have to leave it until tomorrow it will be over done – most of it is already crunchy dry.
My eyes are closing – I sat down too long!
celi
23 Comments on “Raking hay”
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You must be exhausted! Good luck 🙂
Loved the video clip of the piggies on facebook…l think that you are over working..l know these jobs have to be done but working from 5am makes a long long day without enough sleep. I suppose that is one of the bug bears of being a farmer…work never stops
So much work and the satisfaction and exhaustion from all that work. I hope everyone on the farm behaves while you wrestle the hay into safety.
You are working so hard and there seems to be no end in sight. Sigh. If just one thing would cooperate. Be careful out there. Tired is not always a safe place to be. I’ve been hearing about those winds all across the country. Don’t let them blow you away.
All across the continent; )
I’ve been watching the forecasts and weather maps hoping the storms would pass north or south of you. Never thought to look at the winds. With It blowing so hard here, it must be really howling down on the farmy, Hope you get the hay dried and baled in time. Good luck.
What is your secret to keep going for so long? You are amazing😃
Sounds like you’re busy!
wow- you are such a hard worker!
insearchofitall has it right; exhausted is not a very safe place to be. I realize things have to get done, but….. At least the winds will dry the hay faster, that’s one good thing. Thank goodness you have helpers right now. I can feel you crashing into bed once dinner is done tonight… lol Very hot here for mid-May today and tomorrow (26 and 28c) but back down to the mid-teens after tomorrow, which is pretty perfect in my estimation. Hope you have a great day. ~ Mame :)a
All hands on deck! So glad you have the help.
Getting ready for the hay rush, a few more weeks think and we don’t bail, just stack and rack. I hope it stays fine for you.
I did read that turning the compost is actually a bad thing unless you need it fast? If you don’t then don’t, you are loosing nutrients and wasting your time, which I think we all need more of 🙂
My biggest problem with the composts this year is that the rotting matter has had so much rain for so long that there is no air in the mounds and they are hard as rock. Just braking off in huge clumps and they smell bad, so i am trying to introduce some air and some fresh brown stuff to start the process working again.. I am not sure if it will work though – maybe not c
We had the same now you mention it, as for the smell I covered the lot with a think layer of straw and that did the trick. I think the added carbon in the mix also helped it break down a bit quicker. 🙂
Good – there is hope then.. c
Always one eye on the weather, you have a knack for juggling… you manage to do it all ♡
Tedding’s hard work, judging when the stuff’s just dry enough but not too crunchy, and the physical aspect can’t be discounted either. I hope you manage to slot a bit of sleep in somewhere, and that the storms stay off just long enough for you to get it all in.
Good looking bales today. Laura
Well, by the time I get ‘there’ the darkness has fallen: sure hope you got that first hay home! Safe and dry!! That male photo of the ‘hay man’ of a few days ago surely must have been one of those helpful sons of his . . . 🙂 ? ‘Metero John’ made me look up my own shortcut to Illinois weather . . . . hope you were lucky ’cause the situation bar the ‘healing wind’ did not seem so bad . . . . time to close the eyes Milady . . . .
The boy on the hay is my worker – Alex. c
All caught up 🙂 !! Sleep well . . . !!! And, naturally, I still hope you got the ruddy hay in . . .
I was wondering if you use a tedder on your hay. I usually have to ted my first cutting at least twice to get it dry fast enough, sometimes more. My hay is plain grass hay, although has some clover, but no alfalfa. Hay in my area will not be ready for about two or three weeks. I wish you the best with your hay, and here’s hoping all equipment keeps going!!
So much hard work. Hope you slept well last night!