Haying season is easily the busiest time of year for a dairy farmer. Here on eastern Vancouver Island, the season can start anywhere from April to June and finish September to October, depending on weather. To grow the best feed for our cows, we need to have complete knowledge of our animals' nutritional needs, our soil, and the plants that grow in it.

What are the best conditions for hay to grow?

Grasses flourish with the right amount of moisture. A wet spring will yield an abundance of lush crops, which sets a strong start to the growing season. Hay crops are adaptable to many soil types, but to maximize production we give a nutrient boost of cow manure between harvests.

 

What affects the timing of harvest?

Rain is the largest contributing factor to when we are able to harvest. While a wet spring makes for a good harvest, it can also ironically prevent us from harvesting. Our farm lies in a naturally wet area with poor drainage, making for soft, muddy ground. The weight of a tractor would make a muddy mess and destroy our crops.

It's also important that we have a window of 3-4 days with no rain to bring in the harvest. This allows the hay to dry sufficiently before being baled and wrapped.

 

Growing permanent pasture vs. tilling for annual crops

We aim to grow permanent pasture over annual crops for three main reasons:

1. it's better for soil health & microbial diversity

2. it requires less water, fuel, and time

3. it's easier

There are times that, due to the wet nature of our location, we will notice soil compaction in an area. Compacted soil has poor drainage and displaces tiny air pockets in the ground that are necessary for plant survival. We reserve tilling for such occasions in order to loosen the soil back up.

The final products

Hay

To make hay, grass is allowed to dry thoroughly before being baled. This type of feed is high in fiber and well-balanced in nutrition.

Silage

To make silage, grass is cut earlier in the season when the moisture content is high. Without drying out, it's baled and wrapped to create an anaerobic environment in which the moist feed can ferment. This type of feed is generally more nutrient-dense than dry feed like hay.

The 4 steps of harvest

1. Cutting

Think of this step like mowing your lawn, but on a much larger (and taller) scale.

 

2. Tedding

Tedding aids in the drying process by speeding it up and allowing the cut grass even exposure to sunlight and airflow. This step is skipped if making silage or haylage.

 

3. Raking

The cut grass is raked into windrows to prepare for the next step.

 

4. Baling

A baling machine is hauled behind a tractor. It draws up the cut grass and spins it into a round bale. From here they are wrapped for storage until needed in the winter.

How feed relates to milk quality

The saying "you are what you eat" goes for cows, too! The best thing a cow can eat is grass and forage, so naturally, that's what we want to feed them.

With the help of a dairy nutritionist, we can determine the nutrient density in our feed and if it meets the nutritional needs of our animals.

A healthy, non-stressed animal will produce the best quality milk, which makes excellent cheese; and it all starts out in the field.