Making Hay while the sun shines

Making hay at the top of Swaledale

Hay time is an important and anxious time for farmers.  It is absolutely imperative that hay and silage is made so that there is plenty fodder to see farmers through the hungry winter months.   Its an anxious time because hay making is  weather dependant.  To make good hay requires a minimum of 5 consecutive dry, warm (preferably hot) sunny days.  Doesn’t sound like a lot but believe me,  mother nature has a habit of keeping us waiting!  The large round bales of silage can be cut, strowed out, rowed up, baled and wrapped in one day if the weather is against us but a couple of days drying in the sun is better.

You will see armadas of tractors & machinery dashing about all over the dales during hay time.  Depending on where you are and what sort of summer it is, haymaking it can be happening in June, July or August.  Pull over and watch this fascinating process.

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