HomeGrownVegetables

I know hay really isn’t a vegetable, but it is an important crop none the less.  Hay can have a complete crop cycle from planting or sprigging to harvest and storage, in our case we don’t plant, we just cut the coastal bahia grass that is already growing.  Now the breakdown for those of you unfamiliar with the process.

We have an agreement with one of our neighbors to cut our hay, for payment he takes a portion of the hay for himself. He takes most of the hay for himself due to the fact the he owns the bailing equipment.  It works out to be a good deal in the long run, that baling equipment aint cheap!  Anyway, we get enough hay to feed our livestock thru the winter, so the deal works out good.

Step 1:  Equipment

Steve, our hay guy, has his equipment at our place at least the day before he is going to cut. He usually brings two tractors , one to rake while the other pulls the baler, the disk cutter , the rake and the baler.

Massey Ferguson Tractor and Disk Cutter

The equipment is the most important part of the baling. If the equipment isn’t maintained the whole baling operation will suffer.

The baler is a complex machine and must be kept in top condition to put out the best quality bale.

Once the equipment is set then its on to the next step the actual cutting and raking.

Next time: The Cutting!  Stay tuned

Hay Rake