Haying season...

As is the case in most of the US it is hay season.  Or in places affected by drought which is much of the US it should be hay season.

Our alfalfa crop was hit HARD with weevils this year.  It is not something that we have dealt with before and they had the crop eaten before we even realized they were there.

It had been an awesome looking hay crop that was diminished to almost nothing.  To give you an example of the effect the weevils had on some fields where we had 3 bales (1200 pound round bales) per acre in the past only made 1 bale per 4 acres.  It was a devasting sight, but we are still very grateful to have a hay crop at all.  My thoughts go out to the areas of the US still affected by the drought.  Many ranchers in Arkansas have had to sell off their herds.  The ND Ag commissioner has asked ND ranchers to help out those ranchers in Wyoming if possible.

We are blessed.  We haven't forgotten a few years ago when we were short of hay and buying semi load after semi load of hay.  Financially, it is a huge drain on a cattle operation.

We not only put up alfalfa and grass hay, but we also plant small grains for hay.  This year like many in the past we planted barley for hay.  Traditionally, small grains like barley or oat would be planted for the grain to be combined in the fall.  Some varieties are actually developed for hay production versus grain production   Our barley fields were beginning to show signs of stress so we cut them the end of June/early July.

TJ is catching a ride with Grandpa while he rakes.

Lil sits on Grandpa's lunch pail.

AA learning how to hitch for her ride.

Exactly where she wants to be.  Right next to daddy.  This little girl can sit with him for hours.