Cutting and Drying My Hayfields
Here in the Northeast we have cloudy skies, but temperatures are expected to be in the 70s over the next couple of days - hopefully just right for drying and baling hay.
When I moved to my farm in Bedford, New York, I designated three separate areas as hayfields and planted them with a mixture of timothy, orchard grass, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass, and clovers - all great for producing quality hay. Last year, I had the areas treated with agricultural lime - a soil additive made from pulverized limestone or chalk that works to correct the acidity of the soil, eradicate any noxious weeds, and raise the overall health of the land. This past weekend, we cut the hayfields and then tossed the grass to begin the crucial drying process in preparation for baling the hay later this week.
If you follow my Instagram page @MarthaStewart48, you may have seen some of the photos - here are a few more, enjoy.
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- I was so pleased to see the forecast this weekend. The weather was expected to be pleasant and dry for the next four to five days – perfect for working on the hayfields.
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- I took this photo early one morning before 7am – the skies over my farm are so beautiful.
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- Over the weekend, Carlos “cinco”, an expert in baling hay, came over to prepare the fields. I am fortunate to have all the necessary equipment here at the farm. Here is Carlos doing a bit of maintenance to make sure everything is in perfect order.
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- Carlos checks the mower-conditioner. A hay conditioner crimps and crushes the hay after it is cut to promote faster and more even drying. Over time, the mower-conditioner disc blades can get rusted and dull.
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- Carlos removes all those that need to be changed. These discs are located behind the protective shield of the mower-conditioner.
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- The discs are separated to expose the blades so they could be removed.
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- This blade is also broken. It is always important to check all the blades before working in the field – you always want a good, clean cut.
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- Here is a new blade installed and tightened between the discs.
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- Next, Carlos checks all the grease fittings to be sure everything is properly lubricated.
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- Carlos also greases the joints of the tractor and checks all the tires.
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- Here he is under the tractor checking that everything there is also in working order.
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- The mower-conditioner is now ready to hook up to the tractor.
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- Here we are in one of the hayfields – everything is ready to go. Mower-conditioners are a staple of large-scale haymaking.
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- When weather conditions are ideal, these machines allow farmers to cut wide and fast – the best formula for quality field productivity.
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- Here you can see the mounded rows of cut and crimped grass.
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- Here is another view as the mower-conditioner continues to go back and forth over the field. On the left are some of the completed rows. On the right – what he has left to do.
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- Fred, my property director, took this shot with the drone to see how it looks from above.
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- The mounded rows are called windrows – rows of cut hay or small grain crops. They are so beautiful and all perfectly straight.
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- Next, Chhiring, my outdoor grounds crew foreman, follows behind with the hay tedder. A tedder spreads and fluffs the hay in a uniform swath after the mower-conditioner has made the windrows.
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- Here is Chhiring going over the rows carefully one by one.
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- Here is a view from behind – it takes all the greener hay from the bottom and turns it over.
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- Here it is easier to see how the tedder fluffs the hay, which improves drying time even more and increases yield.
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- This hay will now dry over the next couple of days before it is baled.
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- Here is the field from above – I am so excited to bale the hay.
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- I have two hay trailers at the farm. To prepare them, Chhiring makes sure all the doors are well-greased. He sprays all the hinges and door closures with oil.
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- And then tests all the gates to make sure they opened and closed properly and smoothly.
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- Then, using our new Kubota tractor, Chhiring drives the two hay trailers to the lower fields.
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- Now everything is in place for the next phase of the project – baling the hay. Stay tuned for more photos, and be sure to check my Instagram page @MarthaStewart48 for videos of these important farming machines at work.
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