08/11/2026
Hay! Let’s talk about hay!
Our herd depends on hay every day of the year, making it one of the most important and plentiful foods on the farm. Producing enough of it is no small task, and every stage from growing to baling depends heavily on the weather!
So, what does it take to turn a field of grass and alfalfa into food for our herd? Let’s follow the life cycle of hay and everything that happens before a bale reaches a horse’s mouth!
🌱 Stage 1: Growing
Main Stay has two hay fields totaling to about 13 acres. On average, our fields are cut and baled twice each year between June and September, although ideal growing conditions may allow for a third cutting.
There are usually at least 28 days between cuttings, giving the grass and alfalfa time to regrow and mature.
“Make hay while the sun shines” is not just an old saying, it is an actual farming strategy!
We generally need a window of 4-5 consecutive dry days to cut, dry, rake and bale the hay safely. The first cutting typically occurs after the grass and alfalfa have gone to seed.
Sun and rain both help the fields grow, but too much, or too little of either can affect how quickly the hay matures and how much our fields produce. Once it is time to cut, rain can delay the entire process.
The amount of hay produced can vary significantly from year to year. Our first cutting has yielded anywhere from about 422 to 1,300 bales, while the second has produced between 250 and 600 bales.
🚜 Stage 2: Cutting and Crimping
The mower performs two important jobs. First, its blades cut the hay. The hay then passes through rollers, sometimes called crimpers, that crack and flatten the hay stems. This allows moisture to escape and helps the hay dry more quickly.
Continued in comments …
