Hay Fields

Checked on all our hay fields yesterday.

Really proud of the results on the cultipacking and seeding of some of the "weak" spots.

The photo below is a "before" shot.

<a href="http://s200.photobucket.com/albums/aa5/jameslloydhowell/Haymaking%202010/Seeding%20Cultipacking/?action=view&current=027.jpg" target="_blank"> </a>

The photos below are "after" shots of the same area.

<a href="http://s200.photobucket.com/albums/aa5/jameslloydhowell/Haymaking%202010/New%20Cheyenne%20Grass/?action=view&current=005.jpg" target="_blank"></a>

<a href="http://s200.photobucket.com/albums/aa5/jameslloydhowell/Haymaking%202010/New%20Cheyenne%20Grass/?action=view&current=006.jpg" target="_blank"></a>

The photo below is another area that was cultipacked and seeded.

<a href="http://s200.photobucket.com/albums/aa5/jameslloydhowell/Haymaking%202010/New%20Cheyenne%20Grass/?action=view&current=007.jpg" target="_blank"></a>

Planning on a second cutting during the July 4th weekend.

Checked the Bahia fields also.

These two photos are of the "long hill" on the home place.

<a href="http://s200.photobucket.com/albums/aa5/jameslloydhowell/Haymaking%202010/Bahia%20Fields/?action=view&current=013.jpg" target="_blank"></a>

<a href="http://s200.photobucket.com/albums/aa5/jameslloydhowell/Haymaking%202010/Bahia%20Fields/?action=view&current=012.jpg" target="_blank"></a>

These two photos are of the "Ragan Place".

<a href="http://s200.photobucket.com/albums/aa5/jameslloydhowell/Haymaking%202010/Bahia%20Fields/?action=view&current=010.jpg" target="_blank"></a>

<a href="http://s200.photobucket.com/albums/aa5/jameslloydhowell/Haymaking%202010/Bahia%20Fields/?action=view&current=011.jpg" target="_blank"></a>

Planning on cutting them Wednesday of next week.

All the fields sure are looking good.

Wow! You can plan for cutting hay three days in advance?! Even when our weather is clear the meteorologists find a way to sneak some rain into the day!

Nice pictures and good luck with the hay.

Christopher

Nice looking hay fields.Looks to be pretty sandy soil.All them trees in and around your hay field.That is neat gives you a place to take five in the shade.Our new seeding alfalfa is a little thin .We're going to try to seed some more in yet .Little late in the Spring ,but we've had a lot of rain.Thanks for the Great looking pictures.BlaineF(WA)

Yes, we have sandy loam all over our farm.

I've known the gentleman that hauls in the top soil for over 45 years.

He picks out any rocks and roots before he brings the load.

We've decided that next year to bring in topsoil and not disc/till the ground.

Just spread the topsoil around with the bucket loader, cultipack, seed, and cultipack again.

Added extra 13-13-13 fertilizer to these areas.

Nancy also "watered" these area with our spray rig.

Keep in mind that we're down south in Texas.

We don't get excited about rain unless it is predicted over 50%; even then it is a gamble.

Glad you liked the photos; we enjoy sharing them.

On another topic, you asked several weeks ago about the "status" of our equipment shed.

Didn't forget about your inquiry: here's a photo taken on Saturday.

<a href="http://s200.photobucket.com/albums/aa5/jameslloydhowell/Equipment%20Shed/?action=view&current=029.jpg" target="_blank"></a>

Will post a video of all photos when we finish.

Pretty hay field James. Why is it always you standing in picture. You always show Nancy doing the work. People can make fun of our antiques. Son run his JD 50 on the Swather-Conditioner on 18 gallon of gas yesterday. It was a long day. Will be on the baler today. Really heavy Alfalfa. The Clethodin took care of the grass weeds. Liquid Fertlizer really made a big difference specially a shot of Boron and Sulphur. Suppose to get some Pictures today.
gitrib

How can she learn to drive all those tractors and opporate the equipment if I have all the fun?

Looking forward to the photos of your award winning Alfalfa.

I always like to see how people build buildings. I'm wondering why you don't use bracing on your building----both longways and crosswise? No wind?

We might put in some bracing longwise and crosswise on some of the "bays" if needed.

The bracing will need to be higher where we plan to store the sickle mowers; and high enough to clear exhaust stacks on all the tractors.

Main idea was to be able to drive in from either direction, North (right) or South (left), and unhook from the tractor.

Equipment shed is at the bottom of a hill protected from the occasional South wind.

Also protected by tree lines on the East and West.

Always room for improvement though.

Gorgeous fields!!! I am envious. Here on our farm in Southern NH we don"t have a single rock free field. All the fields and lanes are bordered by stone walls. Wouldn"t know what to do not having to raise the haybine (or the plows) every few minutes!!

Thanks for sharing the wonderful pictures!!!!

Thanks for the compliment on our hay fields; bet y"all also have some beautiful farm country up in Southern NH.

The only field "hazards" we have will be the occasional gopher mound; I have also been known to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjbQ54j8HuY">"hit" pine trees</a> with the sickle mower.

Glad you enjoyed the photos; we enjoy sharing them.