Hay Field Training ( Part 1 )

We are over halfway through the month of May, and it has been super busy for us. We have started hay season at high speed. So much to do and most of it depends on the weather.

This hay season will be a little different for us. Right now, I am in “training” to help with the fields. I’m not sure if this is a good thing or not. Time will tell.

For me, I find it interesting, intimidating, nerve-wracking, hot, fun, and a lot of work. For my husband, well–I’m still not quite sure what he thinks about my help. 🙂

So far this month, I have learned how to drive a tractor, rake hay, and even bale some hay. With this said, I am a beginner, and I definitely have so much to learn. This is a hands-on job, for sure.

 

Raking Hay

Last week I was raking a field, and my husband was “trying” to bale (behind me). He is great at what he does. Thank goodness! I know it was a difficult task to bale my VERY crooked rows of hay. I believe  (know)  he was off of his tractor ( more times than I can count), giving me more advice and teaching me about raking hay than he (or I) had bargained for. 😮

Communication is the Key

We are looking for headsets to make it easier for us to communicate without getting off of our tractors. Although headsets would make it easier for my husband to give me “guidance,” I’m not sure if I am completely sold on this idea or not.
As it is now, with my husband getting off of his tractor and walking to mine (across the field)–he has a few minutes to carefully choose his words and calm down before addressing me with my mistakes. 🙂 This is a good thing! 🙂

 

Multitasking Will Take Some Work

I have always been pretty good at multi-tasking, and this comes in handy now. Learning to look back at the rake, follow my rows, and drive forward at the same time is going to take some work. Let’s just say, I am glad I have a big open field, and no one is around to witness what is being said, how bad I am doing, and the things my husband “might” be saying under his breath about my hay raking skills.

 

Just Go For It-OR- Not!

There were a few times I was faced with making a decision on what to do. For example, Do I cross this row? How do I raise just one side of the rake? Or What will happen if I do this? I had so many questions, and after a few hours in the field, I knew not to test the waters more than I needed to. So, I did what I felt like I should do–I threw my hands up and went for it!

At the time, I thought it was a good decision. I felt it would save my husband from getting off his tractor again, and everything would be okay. And a few times it worked out in my favor, but the last time I went for it–Well… let’s just say I witnessed my husband running across the hay field faster than I’ve seen him move in a long time. I never even saw him leave his tractor! How did he get off of his tractor that fast? And….we will leave it at that.

Tip**A word to the wise Do Not ask yourself, “What does this little lever do?” AND actually, see what it does.

Just don’t do it! 😮

One Week Down and Many More To Go

But, with one week down and four more months of hay season left, I’ve got this! At least that’s what I keep telling myself. 🙂 You can do it! Push forward! One bale at a time!

My husband, on the other hand, is learning to have more patience. 🙂 He is spending more time off of his tractor (walking across the field) than on and choosing descriptive words more carefully. I believe this training has been good for him, too.

He now has a hay partner, whether he likes it or not! 🙂

Here are some pictures of our week in the field. We’ve accomplished a lot, and I’ve learned a lot. I still have a long way to go!

Overall, it was a great week, and I am looking forward to another week in the hay field.

 

Be sure to check out my other Farm Day Friday Post.

Feeding Hay

April on the Farm

Cows on the Farm