The possibly itchiest time of year has come around. Hay season. Hay is very important to the production of a ranch as a quick food source for animals. Many farmers and ranchers have their own stories about hay season and dealing with hay. Continue reading to learn about hay season at Rollinger Ranch and a hay story of Tara Rollinger’s.
A Family Activity
I’m so allergic to hay (and a variety of other things), but I enjoy helping “put up hay” each year as a family. And without fail, we picked one of the hottest days of the summer to accomplish that mission. I’m constantly reminded how much ranching is dictated by the weather. The friend who had the hay let us know that square bales were ready, and Ross jumped – regardless of the heat. We got 150 square bales that needed to be unloaded into our hayloft. A few years back we bought a hay bale elevator and it certainly makes the job easier. Prior to that, we used our skid loader to lift it up – we do not recommend this approach. Regardless of the elevator, it’s a hot and itchy job. Thankfully we had good help.
The kids think “putting up hay” is pretty fun since we only do it once a year. Benson wasn’t able to help much as he
fractured his ankle playing baseball, but the girls situated bales on the elevator and sent them up to Ross. I handed the girls the bales. Ross was on his own up in the loft, but with a little teamwork, we got it done. It always feels good to accomplish something.
fractured his ankle playing baseball, but the girls situated bales on the elevator and sent them up to Ross. I handed the girls the bales. Ross was on his own up in the loft, but with a little teamwork, we got it done. It always feels good to accomplish something.The Importance of Square Bales
I never understood why square bales were needed until this past winter. I assumed round bales were sufficient. Until I was out doing morning chores, Ross was gone for a couple of weeks, the cows were out of hay, and I needed to leave for school (I’m a teacher). I had no time to move a round bale. So, I found out quickly why we have square bales. They’re quick and easy – Kya and I were able to throw a few down for the cows to eat until I got home that evening and could get round bale.
The Round Bale Story
I’ve driven the skid loader a few times. And I have moved a round bale once, but Ross has always been there to guide me. Kya (our oldest) was gone that evening, so Ivy and Benson were on gate-opening duty. Honestly, things went well until they almost didn’t.
I fired up the skid loader (thankfully it had the correct attachment on it), got the round bale, and dropped it in the holder (sideways – not ideal), but it was in there. And that was good enough for me. And then I backed up. Job done, right? But, the skid loader started rocking back and forth so hard. Ivy was holding the gate and I saw panic in her eyes. I didn’t know what was happening or why and I couldn’t get it to stop
rocking. I started thinking I was going to tip the skid loader and how embarrassing that would be. Then I heard Ivy yelling, “Put it down! Put it down!” I instantly knew what she meant. I still had the lift up in the air and the weight distribution was off, therefore rocking.
rocking. I started thinking I was going to tip the skid loader and how embarrassing that would be. Then I heard Ivy yelling, “Put it down! Put it down!” I instantly knew what she meant. I still had the lift up in the air and the weight distribution was off, therefore rocking.I listened to her, put it back down to the ground and it finally rocked back to a stable position. I stopped the skid loader, got out and gave Ivy a huge hug. She was nearly in tears and I was trembling. But we did it. We figured it out. It wasn’t perfect. Far from. But the cows were fed. And we learned a lesson… put the skid loader lift back down before driving it again. Disaster averted!