PLAYGROUND FOR CATS
We did get the hay in – just before another two inches of rain. A good amount was dubious and the rest rejected. 
But this is going to be a bad year for hay so the dubious bunch is stacked loosely across the barn floors, salted and rolled twice already. John is probing for temperature often. 
The rejected batch is stacked loosely on pallets outside. The Cadet and I pulled these down and tested and restacked them yesterday. Done are pretty hot! The cats are delighted with their new warm castle.
We covered this with a big tarp when it rained and will continue to do so. I need to do everything I can to bring in something edible for the cold months. 
There will be a massive shortage of hay this year. But these bales are so heavy – I have low hopes. And throwing 80 – 90 pound bales wears a person down after a while.
The cows like it though. And as you can see it makes a warm bed! 
I think working in small cuts is sensible. Then I can tend to each bale to save them. Some I have cut open to dry in the barn that way. But the weight of them almost broke John’s son and I. We are missing our co-workers brute strength. And his hand ( that we cannot discuss) is a long way from healed.
Anyway this morning I hope to get away early to get some photos of the organic fields that have already sprouted. My own field is still weeds and sodden soil and is making me miserable. There is always time for cover crops though. 
Every evening when I come out to milk Del there are three eggs laid in her stanchion. They like the new hay too!
It looks like we have a clear sky this morning. Nice. It says it will not rain until about 2pm today. I can’t believe it is Friday already!
Talk soon.
Celi
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thekitchensgarden 
And it’s the solstice! Here’s hoping your world takes a turn toward the sunny and dry!
Let’s hope
Well done on achieving any hay at all from what was potentially a total disaster.
I know you’ll probably have an excellent reason why this won’t work, but is it possible to broadcast sow any of the fields so that you don’t need to get machines onto them? It’s time-consuming but very low impact, and while it’s not as efficient or economical because you don’t bury the seed or space it so well, it worked for hundreds of years before seed drills were invented. I’ve done it on a quarter acre to put in both cover crops and mixes to feed my chooks. The equipment is basically a shoulder bag full of seed, a string line and a rake.
I think that would be pretty hard work on 160 acres- plus the weeds are thick now. We need till before we sow any which way.
True…
here’s to the hay and all who benefit from it –
Yes!
It has been the year of rain that is for sure.
And more on the way!
Same here.
because I follow the hubby while he’s bailing and I’m picking up the bales…………..he set our baler to make smaller bales that are easier for me to pick up.
Good thinking and looser too I hope. Though I also hope you get a turn sitting on the tractor!
Better check. Those eggs might be soft cooked! lol. How worrisome it is to have to keep checking the temp of the bales. Does it ever reach a time when the temp starts going down?
Yes! Most have cooled off
I have seen no hay cutting in Texas either yet. Just too darn wet. The whole of the nation is soaked. The feed corn we grow in this area isn’t even in the fields yet. Typically by June 21st it is knee high. sigh… big sigh….
Yes! And nothing on the news about that!
LOVE the pictures……….especially the horses eating out of the back of the car with the cow in it. Priceless!
Lovely aren’t they. Two cows though that black one is very horse like!
🙂 I can see that. I grew up and continue to live in the country. I have to say, I have never seen anything like that. 🙂
Hats off to you and all farmers in this wet year! We usually have strawberries by this time up here – they won’t be ripe until after the 4th- the usual time the season is winding down!
That will be a short season!
Drenched here in Nebraska too. I have 5 acres growing weeds that I intended to put into SOMETHING- just getting more and more behind. No hay put up either!
It is going to be a tough winter if this rain and cold continues
Perseverance par excellance!
The human condition
Well, Cecilia, you’re certainly an inspiration to those of us short on perseverance plus a few other admirable traits. Yes and the photos are lovely–it’s an ill wind that doesn’t blow someone–in this case cats–some good.
These are my favorite cat photos in ages
may this longest day be a good drying day for the hay! Cats are such opportunists! They always find the best and warmest beds!
Indeed!
So sorry to hear about the bad hay situation. It rained here all day yesterday … but my neighbours and I are not farmers so it doesn’t affect our livelihoods. I pity the ones in our county.
I never thought about farmers when I was a beach dweller either. Now I know better
It’s good to see that there’s always someone (animal) who can make lemonade with whatever is to hand 😉
Cats are pretty good at that
Cats, ducks, cows and pigs!
How are the color-eggers doing? the farm looks like a baled-obstacle course!
P.s. Lake Michigan rose 6” within the last months. Wondering if a few of the boats in harbors unable to get under the bridges! 🌉
And Lake Michigan is the size of a small country. That is A LOT of water!!
And the Easter Eggers are still growing in their own enclosure. They are hard to catch with the camera though / very shy
I just learned about salting hay this past week. Our hay man is brand new to haying. Last year was wet here and the round bales are very moody. Dangerous for our donkeys. This year is looking just as wet. So I sent him some links to articles about salting hay bales. Seems some people have adapted their balers to include a salter. Have you salted your hay before this year? Would it work on big round bales?
Yes – I use a cow mineral salt. So the cows get their minerals in the winter too, I have always salted the heavy bales. I don’t know about big round bales – the theory is the salt pulls the moisture out – big bales are pretty big.
what fun for those kitties! Your gray kitty looks like my Cody!