Their raucous laughter carried across the parking lot as I stepped down from the cab of the truck and I knew they were making fun of me and my many bales of glory. From under the umbrella of the patio table outside the ice cream shop, they made witty jokes to their comrades, their shiny trucks parked nearby. In contrast, the 19 year-old work-horse of a truck with flatbed in tow, laden down by our last load of hay, sat adjacent. They were locals, but no one that I knew and obviously they didn’t know me, so why should it bother me that they made fun of me or my truck?
Fun fact: hay should, in fact, smell sweet! Best way to test stored bales is to reach in the centre and pull out a handful. Sweet. Dry. Not crispy. That's what you're looking for.
Did the poll, looking forward to learning more about horticulture and - I am also very interested in your recipes for dog food. I often wonder why I make sure all the humans here eat a good diet and then give kibble and tinned meat slop to the beloved pup.
Yes ma'am! A lady farmer taught me all I know about equipment. And at nearly 75 she's still backin loaded double wagons. Don't matter your sex. What matters is mindset. Glad you're farming!
I read this with a smile on my face and a warmth in my heart for you, my friend. I run a small 300 acre horse and cattle farm in central Virginia. We make our own hay (we run 5' round bales because they're preferable for how we pasture and feed our livestock) and, yes: it's a marathon of days--some days it's literally sunup to sundown--because that old adage, "make hay while the sun shines" is absolute truth.
And I can so relate to the beater trucks and creaky trailers 😂 My poor 3500 Ram with its self changing oil has pulled more bales for me than I can count. Every trip is a prayer to Saint Christopher and high fives on the arrival.
Don't worry about them old boys settin by and talking nonsense. Had they something better to do they'd be in their own fields instead of idly watching a hard working farmer doing the work.
Stay with it! And if there's ever anything this old farm hand can do to help, y'all just holla.
Totally have my respect. I used to help move houses, yes the whole house, for a guy. We'd pull up with our rag tag equipment and get the same response a lot of times. But if you wanted a house moved, and wanted it done right, we were the ones to do it.
I was raised on a farm in Arkansas, but we didn't have cattle so there was no need for hay. In college I got sweet on a local young lady whose father raised hay and cattle. After spending a few weekends baling and putting the hay in the barn then, before we went out on a date, we got to go feed the cows. Needless to say, we were both in pretty good shape back then.
I can smell the sweetness of that hay! I have much admiration for you and your hard work!
I sure appreciate that, Doreen!
Fun fact: hay should, in fact, smell sweet! Best way to test stored bales is to reach in the centre and pull out a handful. Sweet. Dry. Not crispy. That's what you're looking for.
Did the poll, looking forward to learning more about horticulture and - I am also very interested in your recipes for dog food. I often wonder why I make sure all the humans here eat a good diet and then give kibble and tinned meat slop to the beloved pup.
Awesome!! Thanks for the feedback and I will put it on the list to write about homemade dog-food coming soon!🙌
I definitely can relate! Hereford’s-hay-learning to wear long sleeves!!! Love the smell of new hay!!
Me too!!!
Yes ma'am! A lady farmer taught me all I know about equipment. And at nearly 75 she's still backin loaded double wagons. Don't matter your sex. What matters is mindset. Glad you're farming!
I read this with a smile on my face and a warmth in my heart for you, my friend. I run a small 300 acre horse and cattle farm in central Virginia. We make our own hay (we run 5' round bales because they're preferable for how we pasture and feed our livestock) and, yes: it's a marathon of days--some days it's literally sunup to sundown--because that old adage, "make hay while the sun shines" is absolute truth.
And I can so relate to the beater trucks and creaky trailers 😂 My poor 3500 Ram with its self changing oil has pulled more bales for me than I can count. Every trip is a prayer to Saint Christopher and high fives on the arrival.
Don't worry about them old boys settin by and talking nonsense. Had they something better to do they'd be in their own fields instead of idly watching a hard working farmer doing the work.
Stay with it! And if there's ever anything this old farm hand can do to help, y'all just holla.
Awwe thanks so much, Dean! Yes, I'm thankful I only pull 400 bales lol. It would be a different ball-game if I were the one making the hay!
I appreciate the offer of assistance and will keep it in mind. A girl needs those Aces up her sleeve, if you know what I mean lol.
Totally have my respect. I used to help move houses, yes the whole house, for a guy. We'd pull up with our rag tag equipment and get the same response a lot of times. But if you wanted a house moved, and wanted it done right, we were the ones to do it.
I was raised on a farm in Arkansas, but we didn't have cattle so there was no need for hay. In college I got sweet on a local young lady whose father raised hay and cattle. After spending a few weekends baling and putting the hay in the barn then, before we went out on a date, we got to go feed the cows. Needless to say, we were both in pretty good shape back then.
That's one good reason why I love being able to farm! It keeps me in shape. And you know what they say about a body in motion!
Never underestimate the amount of work that goes into haying.
Good on you.
The sniggering is better than behind-your-back gossiping. Slightly.
Either way, it's common to small minds and the shiftless. Let those thoughts go like sweat dripping. Validate the triumphant success instead.
Know our just rewards are set by our actions. Their karma is coming...
Exactly! They'll get theirs!