Eden Shale Update- July 2024

Much like all the farmers across the state, June was spent making hay. As soon as the last cow was bred on May 31st we hooked up the hay equipment and headed to the hay fields.

Despite not having put any fertilizer on our hay ground this year it turned off more hay than it ever has, which has been a common theme from all parts of the state.  So why was this such a good grass growing year?

After analyzing the climate data from our Mesonet station on the farm, I did notice two distinct differences in this year’s measurements. I compared the data for April and May 2024 to the historical data for April and May for the past three years. In general, this year was warmer and wetter than the past three years have been.  April 2024 was 4.2°F warmer and had 1.8” more rain than the previous three year average. May 2024 was similar, being 3.6°F warmer and having 3.9” more rainfall the three year average.

I am not a forage specialist, but I would assume the additional moisture had the greatest effect on causing the grass to grow so much more than in the previous growing seasons.  Either way, it was a phenomenal first cutting of hay season.

At Eden Shale we cut hay on about 42 acres and got a total 175 5x5 bales (4.2 bales per acres). This was 0.75 bales per acre more than we normally produce on the same ground. We also purchased hay from two of our neighbors who sold their cow herds recently.  We purchased a total of 242 bales giving us a total of 417 bales from first cutting. We also had 96 bales left over from last year, so we currently have 513 bales all stored inside for the season.
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This should be enough hay to get us through the winter.  We still have enough room to get the second cutting stored in the barn as well, but every barn will be full! I just hope we get some rain soon so we don’t have to start feeding hay this summer (knock on wood).