Hay arrival means ready for winter

Yesterday we had our first delivery of round bales from a forage producer in Hardwick, Vermont. I bought some hay last spring from David Ring when our regular supplier, Dennis Demar, wasn't going to have enough for us to make it until grazing season. When the heavy rains of June and early July made it difficult for Dennis to get his first cut of hay off at the right time, I contacted David and ordered some hay from him. His fields hadn't been as affected by the rains, and he was able to finish his first cutting by mid-June.

We were glad to get the round bales to have on hand at the farm. The pastures are not growing back very well, a result of the very wet summer we have suffered through, and we'll need some bales to start feeding soon. Having to start feeding bales sooner than usual is just another added cost increase to this summer's production costs, due to the heavy rains, lack of sunshine, and poor growing conditions.

The same trucker, Anders, delivered the hay late in the morning. As he released the straps holding the bales on the trailer, I went right to unloading and stacking the round bales beside the barn. In about a half hour the trailer was unloaded and he was on his way back to Hardwick for a second load. He arrived back at the farm at about 4:30 with the second load, about an hour earlier than I had planned. We were only half way through the afternoon milking, but luckily my brother, Steven, happened along and he helped milk the cows while I unloaded another 44 round bales. David had hoped to do two more loads tomorrow, but the trucker's company had other plans for him.

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Comments

[n.l. belardes]

OK, this may be a dumb question, but why is some hay baled round and others square? I notice in California I grew up around square haystacks... I never saw round until I spent some time in Ohio. -n.l.

[Duane Keys]

I think it's personal preference as to the large round or the large square (rectangle) bales. Either way it takes a tractor. If you have to store your bales outside though, the rain rolls off the round bales and doesnt damage too much of the outer ring. The square bales need to be stored inside, or wrapped in plastic like they've got here...

[n.l. belardes]

See, I never knew. And it's more fun to ask you than to just google my way to an answer... stay tuned. I'm going to mention this blog in my review of the book Naked Conversations... -n.l.

[Duane Keys]

I meant to add if you don't have a tractor, the small square (rectangle really) bales are your only option. A man or woman can move lots of small square bales, but won't be able to budge a large round or square bale.

The larger are also more economical (if you have a tractor!)

[n.l. belardes]

Hey, thanks for stopping by and reading the article where I mention your products...

http://www.nlbelardes.com/blogger/2006/09/in-blog-sack-with-robert-scoble-and.html

-n.l.