Haying takes a lot of work not just to make but to prep for. This year I had to buy a new hay rake and start procuring the parts I would need in case things would break on all the equipment. That started in early June. Once the end of June rolls around, I look for 3 very dry days at minimum to make one of our smaller fields and 4-5 days minimum to make the larger fields. This is what makes it hard to plan any time with friends or for vacation activities in the summer, since the nicest, dryest days are reserved for making hay.
This year, because of COVID and working from home, I was able to get a lot of fertilizer on the fields, so I am already seeing a 20% increase in the volume from last year on the few fields we have done, I just need more dry days to make it up.
Haying has always been a big part of the farm. My dad and grandfather were always watching the weather forecasts to see a time to make some. I keep 3 weather apps on my phone which I open more than my Facebook app at this time of year. Before it was mechanized, it was done by hand and I often wonder how they knew when to cut or not since I stress about it all of July and Aug.
As a kid I never appreciated the work that went into haying. I always knew it was hot and tiring but the mental capacity it takes for the person responsible for making it up is high and consumes your thinking this time of year. You can expect to hear about the weather these days when you are talking to me :)
