Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Harvesting the Alfalfa


They're baaaaack!


The monster has returned, to take the alfalfa from the field north of the house. You probably think I'm obsessed with this huge machinery, but it's not only that it does incredible work, but it also does it SO FAST.

So, here's a series of photos that show a couple different operations: The first series shows the alfalfa being cut and crushed (maybe?)

Then the alfalfa is left to dry on the field. After a couple nice sunny, breezy days, they came back again, this time with a couple different outfits: one to merge the rows and another to blow the alfalfa into trucks. This process is so fast, that if I don't hurry up, I can miss it!


Cutting the alfalfa




They cut it before it flowers, 
when its protein levels are highest

So you can see the difference between the cut and the uncut
The alfalfa looks great this year!

After cutting. The cut alfalfa drying

After a couple days of drying
the merger shows up


Think of the music from 'Jaws.'

The operators don't even have time to be annoyed with the lady taking photos. They're so busy operating this equipment, lifting and lowering the arms, etc. (or whatever they're called)

I didn't get a photo of the alfalfa being blown into the trucks, because I was sure I already had it in my photo files. I don't think filing is my strong suit. I would have thought that the word 'alfalfa' would have been in the file name, but who knows...

After a good rain yesterday, the field is ready to grow another crop.
I love the look of the cut field. And honestly, I love the look of that field just about any time!

***

If they'd been thinking, they could have just bought each of the cows one of these!

***

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23 comments:

Denise said...

Really amazing. The cow cracked me up, lol

Unknown said...

Beautiful fields/pictures. Thanks for sharing. Loved the cow cartoon. Having lived on a farm years ago, I can appreciate this a lot.

Suzan said...

Bet it smells wonderfully fresh as they are cutting the alfalfa and while it's drying out!! I love the smell of a fresh mowed lawn, too!

NanaDiana said...

It sure has changed over the years. I can remember cutting alfalfa and it taking a couple of days to do a field with a standard mower/tractor. I LOVE the smell-nothing compares to it. I hope you have a wonderful day- xo Diana

MadSnapper said...

to funny on the cow driving the tractor and the last shot of the field is just beautiful with all the rows of stripes... that is my kind of tractor, AC and closed inside away from heat and bugs... great shots of the tractor to

Susie said...

I bet the alfalfa smelled good being cut. I loved all your photos.xoxo,Susie

Donna said...

That cut field photo is great! And love the cute cartoon too!

Unknown said...

Yikes that is a monster hehe...but lovely to see those pictures of the harvesting...reminds me of home a little living on the country side with farms and fields around. Very nice. Have a great day!

TexWisGirl said...

very cool! and different from normal haying, for sure!

vintage grey said...

So neat to see!! Thanks for sharing!! Wishing you a lovely day!! xo Heather

Samantha said...

but what is alfalfa? Is it for us to eat, or just for livestock?

SImple and Serene Living said...

Love the cow photo. What in the world did farmers do before they had all their amazing equipment. xo Laura

Diane said...

That cartoon is hilarious-- I knew a few horses that would have loved that. Ever see a "baler" machine? That's really cool; also watching the guys stack the bales on the following hay rack. And can you imagine that work before the machine age??

Cherry's Prairie Primitives said...

I loved getting to see the whole process!! The cows would love one of those!!

Terri D said...

I grew up around farmland, but in Ohio, the crops were(are) mostly corn, soybeans and corn. I remember fields of wheat, but no alfalfa. I can almost smell it from your great photos, though.

tlcukjourney said...

Whenever I try to post on your blog from bloglovin it won't let me, I don't know why but it never has, so I have to manually go to your site. I wonder if I'm doing something wrong?
Hmmmmmm.
Anyway, you are so blessed Judy, you live in such an amazing part of our Country, that green just makes me want to lay outside in a hammock! Did I ever share that I spend my high school years in Maine in a farming community? Those people know hard work! And they are down to earth and awesome folks!
Tammy

Trace4J said...

I too love to just sit and look at the farmers working in the fields.
LOVE!
Great photos.
Woolie Blessings

Amy Burzese said...

The curvy rows in that cut field are great to see. Glad you shared that shot.

Ruth Kelly said...

Love the cartoon. I bet you are glad that you are not allergic to alfalfa.

Debra Hawkins said...

Wow, it is really impressive how much more work they can do now. Beautiful pictures.

Yenta Mary said...

Love the cartoon!!! The green is so beautiful ... I guess all this rain that keeps coming is doing SOME good. And where are the grandkids when this machine is going, and they'd be so enthralled???

Chatty Crone said...

A dumb question - what are they going to do with all that? It is so green and so pretty! sandie

Lana's LIfe said...

Awesome post~! Those monsters make us look like we bought our equipment from the pioneers! Geez! LOVE the cartoon! Been popping my allergy pills since about April, but this summer has been very allergy-y! It's all for the greater good right? :-)

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