For comparison -- we'd been working on improving the soil quality in our #hay field, and 2021 was our best year ever, with 85 small rounds brought in before the Fourth of July, and we let the field rest after that for the very practical reason that our hay shed only holds 100 small rounds (more or less) for curing. We still have 18 small rounds of our 2021 hay.

Last year we brought in 45 small rounds before the Fourth of July and didn't see enough growth after that to try another cutting.

This year we decided not to cut before the Fourth, and the gamble paid off with plenty of rain this month. 42 small rounds at the end of July. The field looks like it wants to grow some more, and as much as it's tempting to do another cutting at the end of August or start of September, we'll probably let the field rest after enduring two drought years.

#haying

We brought in 42 small rounds of #hay. Not bad for a drought year, and proportionally-speaking, a better fraction of a "good year" than many of the local farmers are getting.
#haying

And we're baling the #hay.
#haying

We got the baler hooked up, and we got the QOTD:
"Just *once*, I'd like it to be 'We gotta hurry and bring in the #hay before the snow gets here!'"
#haying

Raking the #hay into #windrows.
#haying

Spreading the #hay to help it dry.
#haying

Ever since we started cutting our hay ourselves, we cut it before the Fourth of July. This year we decided to hold off, and finally the rains we should have gotten in May arrived in July. It'll still be a lean year for hay, but it's time to cut it.
#haying #hay

Thank the ever loving Lord, our hayfield has been cut and we bale on Tuesday! Woo-hoo! 😃😁🥳 #Haying

#Farmall tractor under the light and #moon #haying #harvest