Make Hay While the Sun Shines
I’m sure you’ve heard that old saying. This year we had plenty of sunshine, but very little hay. With so much of the US experiencing extreme drought conditions this summer, there isn’t enough hay to go around. Last year the price of hay in our area was around $3 per bale for the good stuff. Right now it will set you back $10 per bale. Things are not looking good for extra farm animals this fall. Many people will not be able to feed their animals through the winter and are taking even their good breeding stock to auction or to the slaughter house.
| Baling hay |
Our neighbors, George and Sue, keep 2 rescue horses for pleasure riding. They have a farmer who cuts and bales their 7 acre field for them and keeps half of the hay for his work. I talked to Sue the other day and she was very happy to report that they now have enough hay in the barn to last the winter. I’m so glad that they were able to get enough hay from their field this year.
There was enough rain at the beginning of August to send up a second flush of growth here. And although the hay was not high quality, it will be fine for feeding their horses. I’ve been very happy that they have shared their old hay with us to bed down the chicken coop for the winter. I know I will need to conserve this year because they can’t share as much as they have in the past.
With all of the farmers and ranchers cutting down on their stock, I expect that there may be a glut of beef and pork on the market this fall. This will probably be followed by a shortage next year. Prices will definitely climb, making it harder for families to make ends meet. If you are able to pick up extra meat on sale this fall and pressure can or freeze it, I would highly recommend you do so. We ordered a whole hog and a side of beef for the winter and we will be butchering our own turkeys and meat chickens too. It sets you back quite a bit initially, but you will save money in the long run.
The drought this summer is one more reminder that we can’t always count on surplus harvests and low cost foods, even in this land of plenty. This is why I stock up food when I am able, grow the biggest garden I can handle, preserve what I grow, buy in bulk, and squirrel away extra when it is available. In other words, I “make hay while the sun shines.”
| Freshly cut hay, raked and ready to bale. |
I shared this post on:
Wildcrafting Wednesday
Farmgirl Friday
Natural Life Link Up
The Ol’ Saturday Homesteading Trading Post
Seasonal Celebration Sunday
The Morristribe’s Homesteader Blog Carnival
Monday Barn Hop
The Country Garden Showcase
Living Green Tuesday
Frugally Sustainable
Home Is Where The Heart Is Hop
Eat, Make, Grow
Check out the Wildcrafting Wednesday Blog Hop!
