It was very touch and go this season with record consecutive weeks of rain. Last year, it rained non stop. This year it rained one day a week - that one day is enough to ruin the hay. It was pretty STRESSFUL to think of the animals (horses and goats) this winter without hay.
This is the equipment to make square bales - the best quality hay, especially for horses.
It takes lots of capital, fuel, land taxes, and time - for only $2- $4 a bale - it is a wonder anyone does it... but that just shows our love of animals.
As Gene bales - the hay is sent into this wagon which is than dumped by the hay elevator behind the barn.
This was taken on Sept 20th - Gene loading a dumpster for a customer who got hay right off the field - for the lowest price - we are having a hard time getting paid from him. So it goes - farming - nobody does it for the money!!!!!
above is a cute picture of Assisi with the hay - just hanging out with us as we loaded the elevator to put hay into the Barn! It was such a nice experience for us. Being around young animals and young humans reinforces the gift of life...they are uplifting due to their playfulness and joie de vivre!!!
