
Stacking the hay in the barn or shed is also important. We do not want the weather to ruin the dry bales, so they are stored safely where they will be protected from the elements.
The hay shed has a roof and no walls which makes stacking is a bit easier. At first the bales are tossed off the top of the hay wagon so that the stacker below can get the pile started. As the stack gets higher, and closer to the roof, the bales must be lifted up. Now that is hard work!
My husband chooses where he wants the bales stored. Certain bales are stored in the hay shed. Some hay is more fit for the barn. He has to make those decisions.
The hay is stacked floor to ceiling. In order to get the bales into the barn from the hay wagon, an elevator takes the bale from the wagon to the opening in the barn and drops them inside for my husband to get them and arrange them into solid layers. The work is hard but it is purposeful and necessary.

From experience, my husband knows just about how many bales he will need to get the cattle through the winter. The baler keeps count of how many bales are made in the season. It is a relief to have this job done in time to face the winter months.
How rewarding it is to know that our barns are filled with plenty. That gives us another reason to thank the Lord.
Photo credit: Wenda Grabau
Photo credit: Wenda Grabau
Photo credit: Wenda Grabau
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