Tag Archives: Alfalfa

Fourth Cutting of Alfalfa

We had our fourth cutting of alfalfa mowed and chopped last week. Hopefully, we’ll get a fifth by the end of September.

He scoops up one row . . .

And throws it on another . . .

Now We’re Just Watching the Crops Grow

Here’s the bean field after a few weeks. Filling in very nicely.

Some of the soybeans up close.

The corn is getting tall. It’s much more than “knee high by the 4th of July”.

Two weeks after being cut and chopped, the alfalfa is coming back nicely.

Alfalfa Packing

Our alfalfa goes to a dairy a mile from us. Here’s the big pile of chopped alfalfa.

The semi you saw in the field now comes to unload at the pile.

The driver opens the swing door on the trailer to prepare to unload.

He then starts to raise the trailer.

Almost to the top.

The alfalfa slides out as he slowly drives forward.

This is the packing tractor. He will push the pile of alfalfa with his blade on the front and the tires and weight of the tractor will compress it to drive the air out and pack it tight so it will ferment over time and store properly.

When they are done adding alfalfa to this pile they will tarp it to protect it from the weather and help it to ferment.

Alfalfa Packing Video

Alfalfa Chopping

The chopper showed up along with four semi-trucks.

They are getting ready to start on the far side of the field.

The chopper picks up the windrow and, after chopping it into bite-sized pieces, blows it into the trailer.

You can see how full the chopper driver fills the semi.