Are you familiar with the expression "make hay while the sun shines"? This saying serves as a reminder to seize the moment during favorable circumstances and maximize every opportunity that presents itself. However, for us farmers, this phrase is more than just a saying – it's a practical reality.
During spring in Indiana, rainfall occurs every 2-3 days. While this is beneficial for establishing newly planted crops, it poses challenges for harvesting hay, which is a crucial feed for alpacas and other livestock. Essentially, hay is grass that is cut, dried in the fields, and gathered into bales for winter feeding. A successful hay harvest necessitates 4-5 consecutive days of sunny, warm, and dry weather, which can be difficult to achieve due to the unpredictable spring weather patterns. Consequently, when it's time to harvest the hay, farmers diligently monitor the weather forecast to identify the optimal window of opportunity.
This year, the optimal time for haying fell within the initial week of June. We harvested the hay, allowed it to dry outdoors for a couple of days, gathered it into rows, and then baled it. The weather was favorable, creating ideal conditions for the task. Fortunately, we managed to take advantage of the opportunity to make hay while the sun was shining!
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