The sun is finally shining for more than 24 hrs which means it is time to make our hay.

Hay is dried grass which is then baled, we use this to feed our cattle over the winter months.

To make hay you firstly have to mow the grass – think huge lawn mower on the back of the tractor.

The grass is then left to dry in the summer sunshine. Each day for the next few days we turn the grass using a piece of machinery called a Tedder (in the picture!). This throws the grass around and aids in the drying process.

Once the hay is deemed dry enough we will rake the grass into lines ready for the farm contractors to come in and bale it.

Hay can be baled in to different sizes and shapes which have developed over the years.

In the 1960s, hay and straw were baled in small HD bales (W:46 x H:36cm x L:100cm) with a typical weight of 10–15kg. These are very popular and can be moved by hand, most commonly used for horses and smallholdings.

In the 1970s, large round balers were introduced on the market and were a part of the ongoing agricultural mechanization process. Round hay bales weigh around 85Kg.

Then in the 80s, large square balers were introduced, creating the Hesston bale which is tied with 6 strings and weighs around 135Kg.

We choose to use the round bales as they are the right size for us and can be unrolled along the feed passage when we are feeding the cattle indoors or can be placed in feeders in the fields for our out wintering cattle.

Charlie has been loving helping Will on the tractor this summer and particularly enjoys a picnic lunch in the field!