Summer’s Hustle: The Hay-Making Marathon

Summer has arrived, and for us farmers, it is our busiest season, demanding long hours from dawn to dusk. June’s heat accelerates our hay fields, making this the peak time for production. With constant irrigation to keep crops thriving and a cutting cycle every 25 days, we are growing, cutting, raking, and baling hay non-stop to supply dairy farms, ranches, and 4H/FFA clients with high-quality feed. Here is a look at the intensive process we repeat to deliver hay from our fields to your barn.

The cycle begins with irrigation, essential for summer hay production. In June’s high temperatures, alfalfa and Bermuda require water every 2-3 days to remain lush—approximately 4-6 inches of water per irrigation, depending on soil conditions. We use flood irrigation to evenly water our fields, checking ditches to prevent dry patches that can stunt growth quickly. After irrigation, the hay grows rapidly, reaching optimal cutting height in about 25 days for alfalfa, when it is leafy and rich in protein for livestock.

Next, we cut the hay, deploying mowers around day 24 or 28 to slice it at the base, ensuring tenderness and nutrition. Timing is critical: cutting too early reduces yield, while waiting too long makes hay tough and less palatable. The cut hay rests in windrows to dry for 1-3 days under the summer sun, reaching a moisture level of 15-20% ideal for baling. Then we rake it, turning and combining the rows with a side-delivery rake to ensure even drying and preserve the nutrient-rich leaves that horses and cows prefer. We monitor weather closely, as unexpected rain can damage a crop rapidly.

Finally, it is time to bale. Our balers collect the raked hay, compressing it into compact bales weighing around 105 pounds or more. We test moisture levels to prevent mold, ensuring safe, high-quality feed. By day 25-30, we are hauling bales to storage or directly to your ranch, then restarting irrigation to begin the next cycle.

This relentless schedule defines our summer, but providing feed for your herds makes it rewarding. Need alfalfa or Bermuda hay? Visit or contact us—we are cutting fresh to keep your animals nourished!