Make Hay While the Sun Shines: 10 Thoughts Running Through Your Head While Bailing Hay

Many people may have heard of the phrase, "Make Hay While the Sun Shines," but little know the actual meaning behind this phrase.

Living on a grass-fed farming operation, hay-making is a very important and labor intensive process. During the spring, summer, and fall, our cattle graze on lush pastures, but the green slowly turns to brown when winter rolls around. Wurzbach Farms prides itself on offering grass-fed beef. It is difficult to keep the animals healthy over the winter without some added nutrition. To support the animal's hunger, we serve hay. Hay is basically dried grass, with many nutrients to keep the cattle healthy. In order to have food for the winter, farmers harvest hay during the summer. Although the calendar may say Fall began last Friday, the temperatures in south-central Pennsylvania have been in the upper 80s, even hitting 90 degrees in some places. Our farm jumped at the opportunity to harvest another cutting of hay at the end of the "summer" season. Here are 10 things that may run through your mind while bailing hay.

1. This is a lot of work

An average bale of hay weighs around 50 pounds. On our farm, we do not have a kicker, which means we need to go around the entire field, pick up each bale, throw it onto the trailer, take it to the barn, unload it from the trailer, and stack it into the barn. It takes a lot of work to harvest hay...

2. Why is it so HOT?

Some farmers think that they need to wait until the hottest day of the year to bale the hay. Hay is dried grass, meaning it is really itchy. When farmers bale hay, they wear jeans and leather gloves, making everything even hotter.

3. Do I really want to feed my animals this winter?

Imagine walking around in a t-shirt, jeans, sneakers, and gloves in 95 degree weather. Hot, right? Then, imagine lifting 200 50 pound hay bales onto a trailer, unloading them, and stacking them in the barn. You may think about whether it is all worth it.

4. Can't we just buy hay with money that we don't have?

Farmers do not make much money. With the money they do make, they often invest it back into their farm by purchasing better equipment, improving their sustainability, or purchasing more animals. Farmers don't have extra cash laying around to buy hay, which can cost around $3.50 a bale.

5. I guess this isn't that bad...

When we start putting what we're doing in context, we realize it isn't that bad of a pastime. By the way, it's a killer workout!

6. I really like all the help I have, along with all of the support that comes with it

Making hay takes a team of people. When our farm does hay, it is often a family affair. We start with my grandfather or dad bailing the hay, the other one wind-rowing the hay to be picked up, my mom driving the truck and trailer, and my sisters, cousins, and I picking up the bales. After a long day of working, we head to our grandparent's house where my grandmother has a delicious meal for all of us. We all help each other out. It's really nice.

7. I am really lucky to live on a farm

With all of the other thoughts going through my mind while doing hay, I keep in mind that less than 2% of the American population has the opportunity to live and work on a farm. If I am one of them, I better take advantage of it and be thankful.

8. My cows are going to be eating well this winter!

Well, the entire reason hay is made is to feed the cows. The entire reason we feed cows is to make beef. The entire reason we make beef is to enjoy the delicious product. If I want to eat hamburgers on the Fourth of July, I better put in the work now.

9. Wow... We're almost finished

When the trailer makes the last turn around the field, it is a great feeling! Only a few more bales... until next time

10. I could not imagine my summer without bailing hay

Bailing hay may cause complaints, but my summer would be boring without it. It is a summer staple.