Cut Aug 3.
Late harvest this year. Thistle going to seed.
Bailer re-adjusted for tighter, shorter bales for easier handling.
Total bales: 560
Remaining hay from Last spring purchase is about 200 bales, so starting 17/18 fall season with 750 bales.
First Cutting
Summary:
- Weather was good throughout the session.
- Total bales 710
- All equipment worked well
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- Loft clean and ready for hay
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- Cutting hay with Gaspardo sickle cutter
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- Raking into windrows with Fransgard CombiRake
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- Raking done, ready for bailing
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- Bailing the windrows – tractor seat view.
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- Farmhands riding home
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- 120 Bales per load
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- Here is the first load, 6 more to go!
Monday June 8
- Sunny 80-85 Degrees
- Cut perimeter about 1/3 of field before outside shoe came loose.
Tuesday June 9
- Sunny 80-85 Degrees
- Replaced plow bolts to re-attach shoe. Finished cutting field in the afternoon.
Wednesday June 10
- Sunny but cooler and breezy 70-75 Degrees
- Tedded field late afternoon.
Thursday June 11
- Sunny with evening partial cloudiness
- Tedded field in the evening.
Friday June 12
- Morning clouds, partial afternoon sun
- Tedded field in afternoon
Saturday June 13
- Tedded in late morning
- Baled in the evening (5 hours)
Sunday June 14
- Bale Storage in the afternoon.
- 3 loads picked up 2 loads loaded in loft.
- 120 bales on each trailer load.
I am finding these queer little green fruits amongst the potato plants. After searching online I have discovered that these are potato fruit containing seed which can be planted and over time produce new types of potatoes. I have never seen these before yet this year they are very prolific. Sounds like I better gather them all up as they are reported to be very poisonous.
First Cutting
May 30 – Cut field. Forecast is for no rain next 7 days with temps in the 70s.
May 31 – Tedded field in late afternoon.
June 1 – Tedded field in afternoon.
June 2 – Raked field into windrows.
June 3 – Prepared loft and bailer.
June 4 – Bailed field.
June 5 – Turned bails to help dry.
June 6,7,8 – stacked hay in barn. Left center isle to monitor temperature.
June 10 – Bale temps between 72 and 75 deg. 74 deg typical.
June 11 – Bale temps 80 deg typical.
Total 530 bales
According to Jo Robinson’s book, Liberty apples are even better than Granny Smith apples. And, I believe they grow around here. Must find one.
Its a lovely spring day today, clouds are breaking to sunshine. The breeze is cool and temps are in the 50’s. While out in the yard I was suddenly surrounded by swallows. A large mob swooped down, circling the yard and barn. They were excitedly chirping and chasing. What a thrill they are.
