The Feed.

Our hayfields provide the animals with feed during the fall, winter, and early spring. We make all of our own hay, both dry bales and green baleage bales.

Since 2005 the farm has been practicing “hay in a day”. We mow our fields in late morning or late evening with the widest non conditioned swath. Freshly cut forage exposed to the sun continues to make sugar by photosynthesis until the plant is wilted to 60%. The faster the crop is dried and made into a bale, the less sugar and starch is lost. The stomata stays open even after the grass is cut and having the forage spread out from the wide swath allows for faster drying and increased sugar production. Just like laundry, it doesn’t dry so fast when left in a pile. The result is a better feed that provides more energy and higher digestibility. The stem is longer as well, making the animal chew just a bit more. This creates more saliva which naturally cleans out the gut. Unlike corn and short chopped feed that can cause health problems.