Hay Making on a Different Scale

[LHF2019]

WOW!!! That sounds like a very long, very painful day. And you did it three days in a row. I don't think I would be able to move after the first day

It is the getting off the tractor that is the worst. I'll be stiff barely able to walk but fine once loosened up. Same at UPS take break in the car then have a hard time getting back out. Can't imagine what it will be like when I'm old. Not to mention this has been a long hot summer. No cabs. So just sitting in the sun cooking for 10-14 hours sometimes.

 

[Hay Dude]

It is the getting off the tractor that is the worst. I'll be stiff barely able to walk but fine once loosened up. Same at UPS take break in the car then have a hard time getting back out. Can't imagine what it will be like when I'm old. Not to mention this has been a long hot summer. No cabs. So just sitting in the sun cooking for 10-14 hours sometimes.

Do you have any opportunities to do any field mowing or snowplowing or other off farm work utilizing your equipment? You get a crap-ton of snow in NW PA, right?
I have done this with good success.

Maybe UPS gives you bennies.

 

[ultrarunner]

It is the getting off the tractor that is the worst. I'll be stiff barely able to walk but fine once loosened up. Same at UPS take break in the car then have a hard time getting back out. Can't imagine what it will be like when I'm old. Not to mention this has been a long hot summer. No cabs. So just sitting in the sun cooking for 10-14 hours sometimes.

A lot of the open station field tractors growing up had attached shade umbrellas.

Now conditioned cabs the norm.

We also have increasing cases of Valley Fever extending outside the Central Valley causing concern.

Several old farmers had this become a real issue late in life…

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/valley-fever/symptoms-causes/syc-20378761

 

[LHF2019]

Do you have any opportunities to do any field mowing or snowplowing or other off farm work utilizing your equipment? You get a crap-ton of snow in NW PA, right?
I have done this with good success.

Maybe UPS gives you bennies.

Never had an interest in snowplowing except my own driveway. I would not consider snowplowing a good investment anymore. Last winter was the first time in I don't know how long we had a somewhat real winter. Non stop snow. Otherwise the number of time I have plowed snow would be in the single digits. I do like the steady paycheck of UPS and if I were to use it the no cost health insurance. If anything I am hoping I can hold out long enough to lock in the pension from there.

 

[LHF2019]

Another round of first and 2nd/3rd done.

Wife started early in the morning before work opening up the field for my driver.

2nd/3rd yield is just pitiful. Can't break 20 bales/acre this year. Still hopeful we will be able to fill customers orders but it will be close. These fields I did this weekend will get a shot of urea.......if confident in rain amount this week. We are still VERY dry with no end in sight.

 

[Hay Dude]

Wow, I didn’t know your wife was part of your operation!
I hope you get some rain. We’re dryer than a popcorn fart here, too.

 

[LHF2019]

It has been a really discouraging year. No year is easy but middle of the road sure is helpful. Locally we have corn tasselling at 4-5 ft. high. The last of my neighbors corn he put in is about waist high. He didn't even start planting until beginning of July. Knee high by 4th of July this year did not exist. More like knee high by Aug. Here are the stats for this years growing season.

May/June wet. From my rain gauge the total was 11.63

To dry July/Aug. Not to mention the heat that also shut the grass down.
2.66 received in July in 3 separate events. 2weeks ago finally received our first measurable rain. 2 days with approx. 0.22 each day and almost half inch last couple days of Aug.

Total for July/Aug. 4.46. Just over half of 8.19 that is the normal rain fall for this area. My rain gauge measured a bit less at 3.9

 

[EddieWalker]

Seemed like you were never going to get dry weather, and when the rain finally ended, it really ended!!!!

 

[Hay Dude]

Im not quite as bad on the southeast part of "coastal" PA, but still pretty bad here....

Have you ever tried "pre-raking"?
You rake night before and get a little dew on top of rows, then bale.
Makes bales real nice if you time it right

 

[LHF2019]

Im not quite as bad on the southeast part of "coastal" PA, but still pretty bad here....

Have you ever tried "pre-raking"?
You rake night before and get a little dew on top of rows, then bale.
Makes bales real nice if you time it right

Never. Dews are heavy. Most of the time we will tedd some in the morning so we can rake earlier. Otherwise to much moisture in the hay.