Making hay is part of the farmer’s job.

Hay includes:

• clover
• grass
• alfalfa

The high protein value of alfalfa makes it a prime diet for dairy cattle.  Although we are thankful for the grassy hay that comes our way, the alfalfa hay makes for more milk.

Making hay may sound like a simple job, but many variables in cattle, seed, machinery, weather, climate, soil conditions, storage facilities and manpower add to its complexity.

The ideal circumstances are seldom the norm.  So we have to make the best of our hay conditions whatever they are.

In our part of the world, hay grows all summer.  We try to make hay 3 times a year.  Some farmers are able to get 4 or more crops in a season.  Hay is a staple for our animals and warrants a lot of our attention and effort.

photo credit: Wenda Grabau