Removing the Bad Hay From the Hay Field

In this video, I am trying to remove all the bad Hay from the hay field. It was rained on five days in a row. I tried ti mulch it up with a bush hog, but that didn't work. So now I am raking up the hay and going to bale it to get it off the field.
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We live in southeastern Illinois on a 41 acres homestead. We just finished building our log cabin overlooking our pond. We are trying to grow our own food and raise livestock. Follow us on our journey living the rural life and developing our property and becoming more self sufficient.

[@trevornolting2833]

I'd use that hay as bedding as it will decompose quicker and then you won't need to buy bedding materials

[@ekfalcons09]

Only if it doesn't have any mold on it

[@allanvaneste9106]

Won't be much mold on it after hitting it with the mower and the rake.

[@BRI33NOR]

@@ekfalcons09 Seen / handled/ spread hundreds of tons of manure, bedding material well used, never seen any mouldy manure, be a strong type that stood up to the rotting process. Hell I was polite there wasn't I ?.

[@bobcruse512]

My hats off to you. Any person that is willing to admit their mistakes is comfortable in their own skin. Sadly, today it seems when mistakes are made it's always something or someone else's fault.

[@ze-germans-r-coming]

that is because society mercily hits you on the head when you admit mistakes. We are being socialized in a way that you cannot do that anymore because we have to fear long term consquences :/ My former boss was alwys like: You reflect so much. That's such a strength .... and it got me nothing. The promotion I was supposed to get? Nope... :) F*** those corporate clowns.

[@suziqbrown7073]

I so admire someone who can smile and say "I made a mistake". Everyone does but some just choke on the words. It was a very nice video. For some strange reason it is so satisfying to watch a mess being cleaned up.

[@jamesmason8944]

Good lad Evan, and Rebecca playing her part in supporting you. Your honest smile makes you stand out as someone who tries to do what is right, but everyday is a school day. Best regards from Scotland.

[@jbraeslamb]

The driver needs to adjust their speed when the baler approaches a big lump of hay, even stop if necessary. That should save a few shear bolts.

[@bigjim5723]

that is true, but since it was her first-ahh 2nd time even baling-i think she done good. i was thinking while he was raking them split bales, he should of made the rows a bit smaller in the beginning. but hey if ya never did it before-u gotta learn somewhere-right

[@jamjar5716]

No apologies needed. No use kicking yourself. You did not yell or take the frustration out on anyone. You learned the right way. You figured out how to fix what needed fixing. You did a great job!

[@BradMyers]

You can use the bad hay for bedding, filling in washouts, for sitting places around the camp fire, etc.

[@batpherlangkharkrang7976]

Hi..... Country View Acres - Evan and Rebecca nice to see you both love watching your videos, thank you for showing your video homestead chicken Duck Goose farmer garden 👋 bye 👋 bye 👋 bye 👋 👕🐔🐓🐥🐕🐈🐖🐐🐄🐠🏡🎥👍👍👍

[@hoberghacienda2267]

Rebecca, My Dad baled a skunk once! The skunks final act was to empty his scent glands. For a long time afterwards, you could always tell when Dad worked on the baler. He had a certain "air" about him!😄

[@cathiwim]

Oh my goodness!

[@jamjar5716]

😣 ewww!

[@2001joefox]

Evan, I admire your calm demeanor and positive attitude when things go wrong. I also enjoy how you talk through what, how, and why you do what you do. Keep up the great work!

[@jimcour291]

at worst Evan, it will make fair bedding

[@PlanetMojo]

We put bad hay in the heads of ravines, gullies, etc. It controls erosion and eventually composts and fills the area in.

[@UN4RACING12]

This 2 video experience is and has been a great service to the farming community. We just had an identical experience. Saved us a lot of work. Thank you very much for sharing all this great info.

[@bevnelson3678]

Oh I was so excited to see you both working hard to get off bad hay, but I could almost cry seeing those bails falling apart on you. So hope one day you’ll be able to get a new hay bailer. Hope you get time to cut back all those trees before the next cutting. keep up the good work. Rebekah you did well driving the tractor. Even you have a beautiful wife that can do and help out with everything as well your amazing Rebekah. I love watching your videos and seeing you Beth work together is great. Your my number one favourite to watch the top of my list to watch.

[@michaelmason2128]

Just a positive thought. A bad day on the farm is better than any day in suburbia. Every day you get up on a property that is beautiful. I will say I'm jealous.

[@peterjventura586]

In 26 years of bailing hay with basically the exact same equipment as you, except for a JD tractor, I had four seasons where everything worked flawlessly! That being said, I did get faster and faster making repairs! lol

[@corydriver7634]

This comment pretty much sums it up. 👍🏻

[@vanessakristle7599]

Rebecca I am so proud of you!! You're amazing and a great example of a farmers wife!

[@chaunceypullman3380]

It has tons of usage. Even poor farmers will buy it. Use for bedding, land erosion and decorative hay bales as well. Just gotta think outside the box. Hope you had a Great Father's Day. Both you and your Dad.

[@chaunceypullman3380]

@@mmm365 I have been wondering that myself. As i told my sister years ago. I say to both male and female. We all have kids in our lives we care for. So I say to them all Happy Mother's or Father's day when it rolls around. I have been father to 5 kids and don't have any biological of my own. Going on 60

[@augustreil]

@@mmm365, Yes, 2, I think ?

[@cathiwim]

When you limb up your trees, limb them up to 10 feet, that should give you room for next time. Good job you guys! Proud of you! You are learning so much!

[@Smacker3801]

I don't look at it as a mistake, the weather information was wrong and not in your favour as you thought it would be and the implement failures were beyond your control as you serviced them before use plus Rebeca gained confidence in handling the tractor and you put together a very entertaining video, I think the good parts win hands down, keep em coming Evan

[@jamesberriedale4910]

Hi Evan, Who said farming was easy, especially with older equipment? Your absolutely right to have a positive outlook, it will all come together in the end it always does. As you said hopefully you can work all the problems out now before 2nd cut. Thank you for sharing all your ups and downs, to many only show the highlights and good times.

[@TCWRHF]

Things are hard sometimes but I believe you made the right call getting that off the field. Plus you could use it for bedding or compost like you said. Your doing great brother!

[@KCAATV]

Evan, When I saw you making those huge windrows, I thought, wow, I hope he has a box of sheer bolts with him. Although it was a bit painful to watch, all is well that ends well. You would have been able get a lot more bad hay off the field if you would have made normal size windrows and lowered your rake a little. It would have been much easier on you and the baler. When I baled hay for the public, I told customers to get their hay cut and baled by the first person who will do it and don't wait on anyone. Then, if their hay got rained on, I would remind them that a bovine has multiple stomachs to digest it and humans won't be eating it. The best thing to do with the bad hay that is baled, is to use it for erosion control. It makes a good way to fill in a ditch.

[@farmall1farmall132]

Yea those old balers don't like speed big gobs of hay nor any wet hay

[@jamesdiehl8690]

Learning how to do stuff on the farm caused the invention of equipment to do things. It still that way today! More learning, more equipment, more progress. Unless of course you want to use a hay rake scythe.

[@FUDBreaker]

I appreciate your honesty and humble approach to learning. Nobody has ever been born a farmer...

[@fraser5032]

Thanks for the video. In SW Ontario it's been tough weather wise for horse hay. You aren't the only person who bushhogged wet hay.

[@Me-ov9nw]

Don't get discouraged, your doing your best! Videos are really great, super drone footage, and your REAL. No fluff, just honest, hard working people. I look forward to every video!😁

[@cathiwim]

Me too! He’s up there with Andrew Camarata, Letsdig18, Post10, and DirtPerfect in my house!

[@harleydavidsonis1666]

He’s a good person he runs into problems when he least expects it but he always figures it out and keeps going instead of giving up if only we had more people like you nowadays the world would be a better place your a good person

[@tonygough8713]

Evan I am impressed that you do whatever it takes to get the job done. Sorry about the rain ruining your hay but I think you made the right decision to get the hay off the field. Thanks for all the good videos.

[@leol1682]

You and your wife make good team but tell her wen the baler get to much hay it stock in it tel her stop let baler have chance swalow it in . your very good guy's .love your video .

[@steveadams4009]

My friend, I am almost 70 years old and have been baling hay since before I was old enough to drive and I'll have to admit that you have probably more determination than anyone I've ever seen. You know that old super 78 bailer has got to have everything just right for it to work. I have had a couple of them and you need to keep the knives sharp, make sure all the bearings are good, look at your knoters and make sure there's no groove worn into them that's the quickest way to break a bail. When you sharpening knives make sure you sharpening both and try to keep them as close as you can to even.

[@jimmieusaf-pol2639]

Nice shirt, Evan...there is a whole lot of construction knowledge and skill in that family. I used to live up in IL, Dixon was my favorite place of the three places I lived up there. Nice little town, and their Petunia Festival is always a good time. Stay safe you all!

[@richardcleasby105]

A smart move to get the hay off the field

[@charlescarriere76]

You guys are learning the hard way, but at the end, you will be so knowledgable. We are behing you, keep the faith.

[@pampilgrim2274]

Hi, Evan and Rebecca! I admire your patience. So sorry for your struggles.

[@englishteacher1260]

Experience is the best teacher.

[@ruthkent7190]

Your open mindedness, thoughtful process, committment to share freely is awesome, thank you! Amazing Grace...

[@DancerOfClouds]

Having baled a lot of hay, I kind of cringed seeing such large windrows. Some times less is more. Your Rebecca could be a twin sister of my Leah, even down to the cap! Well done to you both.

[@BosnWayne]

The school of hard knocks is a good way to learn. Keep smiling

[@kenhart6330]

My Great grandfather told me that you never stop learning and he was 93 while I was 16 years old, the best advice I was ever given I'm now 66 myself. If you ask or listen you will be given all the information you want/need. Well done on hearing what everyone let you now know. Keep up the videos and don't be discouraged by all of the comments.

[@farmertylerranch4399]

You absolutely did the right thing getting the junk hay out. All of the trouble was nothing compared to what you would have faced if you left it out there!

[@BADEB58]

I guess you are learning the best way cause you will never do it again. We are lucky to learn with you cause you are enough generous to share with us. Thank you.

[@whitby910]

Most experienced farmers have gone through the same situation and learning curve, you should feel like a professional now. After all the definition of a professional, in my opinion, 'Is knowing what you can get away with'. Perfection and no mistakes is not the real world. Great joint effort. You and Duffy are becoming my favourites.

[@joeyyoung2851]

Evan don’t beat yourself up. You are a brave and forthright man in admitting your mistakes especially to an audience on KZbin 😊. It’s all experience and learning, you have taken away a valuable lesson and the best lessons are learned from going through the grief and coming out with a ‘let it go attitude’ and moving on. Well done to Rebecca for getting in the tractor and driving. It’s difficult with dogs running around but they are young and quick.

[@joannak4640]

I'm sorry you went through all of that. Good for you for persevering

[@d6joe]

I have farmed full time for many years. Some days a decision made 100% correct will be 100% wrong a few days later. Just the way farming is. I’m still learning after many years, it’s different every year.

[@marksimonar1550]

Rebecca's doing a awesome job !! Two cheers for Rebecca !!

[@TonysTractorAdventure]

That T654 looks good ripping across that field.

[@theburnhams2925]

Evan, Sure glad to see you removed that rain-spoiled hay. There are many uses for "mulch" hay; erosion control, weed suppression, road side re-seeding, bedding, etc. You can sell it provided buyer understands that it's not feed quality. So good job...enjoy your videos.

[@davidcrew6439]

SO GOOD THAT YOU LISTEN TO OTHER FARMERS. I'M NOT A FARMER. BUT I READ SOME GOOD COMMENT ON WHAT YOU SHOULD DO. !!!

[@steve-qx6um]

Evan, I admire your ability to deal with adversity.

[@TheChocrose]

Good job showing how life gives us lemons sometimes. I am proud of the way you handled a difficult situation. My hats off to you and Rebecca. Mike from Denver and see

[@anitamoolman168]

It’s so enjoyable to watch someone farming ( as my dad was a farmer) without swearing and using foul language. Hang in there you’ll still come up smiling 😊

[@CimLayne]

Hey, Evan and Rebecca, I love your videos. You guys have put so much work into your farm over the past two years. I don't know where you find all the energy. I don't think I had that kind of energy even when I was your age (I'm about to turn 75). Good thing you are mechanically inclined, so you can do your own equipment repairs. I just read through all the comments on this video and the last to see what people are advising you, some constructive, some bonehead. My advice to you is try the things that sound like they might work for you and ignore the rest. You are a quick learner, whether from reading instructions or finding things out the hard way by making mistakes. I like it when you show your errors and think out loud how you'll correct them. All while working a full-time job off the farm. You are a phenomenon!

[@jglenbright1215]

Been where you are on this project. Appreciate your positive attitude. Wife great partner. Great experience

[@TomBiggerstaff-gn1ws]

It's hard to run that old crap thru any baler but now you can use it to mulch around the new building after you back fill . That little that's left on the field won't hurt and will help retain moisture you guys make a good team my hats off to you

[@gerryspang5917]

This is easier than trying to bale it by yourself like last year, could you not use the hay for bedding like straw, it’s poor quality hay but not mouldy just hate to see the hay being composted. Thumbs up to Rebecca who did well running the tractor especially since it was only the second time. If you can see a larger brake shop, they can make the discs. Wish I were there to try to give you a hand, one thing, you’re like me, I always learned by the school of hard knocks. Someone once said you can’t buy experience but it’s expensive. Enjoy your videos, keep them coming.

[@jamesmorrison1884]

Gerry Spang your right can have the clutch pads made.

[@jerrybaird2059]

Evan, you are a prince. And an inspiration.

[@dwightl5863]

I do believe the sharpening of the plunger knife on the baler made a nicer bale.

[@olberarosa2346]

WOW YOU ARE A VERY AMAZING PERSON YOU really know WHAT YOU ARE doing GOD KEEP on BLESSEING YOU AND YOUR FAMILY

[@kphifer]

Thanks for sharing all your experiences.

[@Jerram89]

They say, it takes a village, to raise a hay field…

[@ronvera]

Tom and Charlie Silva like your shirt as do I.

[@trwsandford]

You have a bunch of folks that care watching!

[@SwedishFarmer94]

Love how instead of ignoring everyone you actually listened, humble and eager to learn from others. Admirable! Keep it all up bud!

[@augustreil]

That's very rare here on the Tube. Good people.

[@edadpops1709]

Well at least the rake is working and you’re getting tractor time👍👍

[@michaelchastain4957]

I have heard that you are supposed to loosen the clutches and slip them as preventive maintenance. That may be why you break sheer pins. Most of the videos I've seen are for brush hog but I would say it may be the same for a bailer. Tractor Mike has a good video on it. I have no experience but have watched lots of tractor videos. Great videos. I love them.

[@rochrich1223]

Experts make it look easy. Becoming expert is long and hard. You're doing well.

[@randybutler4772]

We are all learning everyday. Keep at it, it will become easier. Thank you for sharing.

[@williamsnipes7608]

I've seen hay get wet and ruined before. It's not a new thing. You got some good advice and you've learned. Never a bad thing to learn. Now you can try to not make the same mistake again.

[@kipcudd7253]

I remember when we baled alfalfa, 5 cuttings a year, if the wind rows were big dad would have to slow down as slow as the tractor would go, slower than walking speed, and I'd have to walk down the rows with a pitch fork separating the hay in the thicker parts of the wind rows. We had a 24 acre field of alfalfa, but I was 12 years old and alot of energy then. Anywhere from 1200 to 1500 85 lb bales per cutting. We had a New Holland self propelled swather/crimper/wind rower machine and a baler like the one you have. Our field was irrigated with a wheeled sprinkler system. We were getting $85 per ton at that time during the 60's 70's. Good times but alot of work. Farmed 1200 acres of land plus cattle.

[@piledriver141]

85 lbs, I worked hay as a kid here in Texas. But mostly just grass nothing special. Probably 50lbs max. I’d hate to be trying to throw 85 pound bales up on a trailer and stack it in a barn!!

[@ronaldlee2376]

@@piledriver141 When we wire tied bales in early 50's they weighed between 75-125#s each, was glad I did not have to handle them except to wafer off to feed calves.

[@hillsidefarm7355]

The hay can still be used for mulch hay or sold in the fall for decorations. Just an idea. Both of you did a great job, just keep your head up and keep learning. I wish I head your patience. Keep the videos coming.

[@gregkurtz4374]

Hang in there, you and your wife are doing great. I really enjoy following along.

[@MrJabberewocky]

You really scared me when you were standing so close to that power takeoff bar on the baler. That thing will tear off arms or legs without a second thought. Respect that.

[@ghostfox3560]

Sucks seeing that bailler still is being a bugger for ya. Hopefully the new shop helps with getting that little machine working better again. Thanks for sharing these videos. Really gives me a better understanding what my dad's friends deal with in Upstate New York with what my dad used to call Hay Season and the troubles that go with it.

[@jimjasper9314]

A newbie with part time hours so you are doing great with what you have done. Chalk it up and enjoy the many many successes you have had.

[@timcavanagh7688]

Your show is great Your farm's great You and your wife have done a great job Keep up the good work From Tim ln Australia 🙂

[@bigfootwojak4393]

Bad hay makes cheap bedding, throw it out for the deer in the winter or use it to garden via the Ruth stout style etc. It's definitely not worthless

[@c50ge]

Also good for controlling erosion

[@anthonyhengst2908]

You are doing the right thing here. Not only would it be difficult to cut the next cutting, it will stunt the next crop too. You may still get a few cents a bale if you try to sell it. My Dad would let it go for a buck a bale and it always seemed to disappear.

[@danielchapa2112]

Good Job getting that hay off the field Evan, all the best with the Bailer Clutch repair.👍🏼👍🏼

[@ashleyflint3501]

Great job by all parties !

[@bobjoncas2814]

...good work, stay safe...

[@jerrywatson7176]

You are going to make it. You are keeping an open mind and listening to others advice and you learned a valuable lesson and you made the best of the situation. I am sorry this happened to you but you are coming through with flying colors.

[@Alberto-VO5]

You are awesome I love watching you. You and Pete are alike

[@gregwest4732]

Excellnt video ! I appreciate the way you tell it the way it is. I think you and Rebecka are doing a very good job on your farm.

[@joha7484]

Happy Fathers Day Evan !!!

[@jdschini]

I know this video is from 2 years ago. But since I am a new subscriber. I am still catching up by watching your early ones. My what a frustrating time you had with this rained on hay. Back when I was farming, I had this happen to me several times too. It is one of the biggest challenges in farming. Deciding when to cut hay, how to get it dried and baled before rains. You always try your best. You constantly listen to all of the weather forecasts. Work day & night. And then sometimes you still lose it to rain. Since I was a dairy farmer. I had a forage chopper. This allowed me to just chop the hay and blow it back onto the field. A regular forage chopper cuts hay up as fine as 1” in length. Then you position the discharge spout of the chopper at 90 degrees from the windrows as you drive. And it also helps to do it on a windy day. This always worked good for me. So if there is a next time for you on this issue. You might try to find a neighbor that has an old hay chopper to borrow or rent. But I hope you never lose another crop. Some of my other options for wet hay. I would just bale it up a little tuff. Then feed those bales out to my cows right away. Or, I spread the bales out in the barn set up on edge. This allowed the moisture to escape as they dried down. I think you have a round baler. You can typically bale at higher moistures with a round baler. Bottom line is you must get the old hay off of the fields. I really admire your determination and humble spirit. We all make mistakes. And most times they were the best teacher for me. Thanks & have a blessed weekend!

[@JohnSmith-fs4dx]

Appreciate you sharing lessons learned for people like me who don't have experience. Thanks and keep the videos coming!

[@jbraeslamb]

Glad to see that you have decided to bale the spoiled hay up and remove it from the field. Good move Evan 👍

[@Tonetwisters]

WOW! You got your tractor with a cab!! And it's fast!!

[@robinbriggs1517]

Glad Rebecca got in on the action.... Rule of thumb... Keep at least 1 extra part for that you can duplicate at the first of your hay season. This has been a hard but good learning curve for you. My mom swore by the Farmers Almanac for everything on the farm, even hay cutting and bailing. Good luck on that next cut.

[@marshallsuber3346]

I'm really sorry about the extra work but this was the best idea. Seeing the amount of hay remaining even after bush hogging showed the need to remove the bad hay. Blessings from New Orleans.

[@JamesCouch777]

I had the advantage of coming from several generations of farmers and I grew up farming which made it a lot easier for me when I started farming. Experience is priceless 👍😉

[@goodalefarm4950]

Nice job Rebekah.

[@TheBeerbelly007]

Rebekah running the tractor in her flip flops---lol

[@suerhea2620]

I think you both did good!! I admire you for your patience and effort. You did a great job and learned more about raising hay. 💕💕💕

[@greybeard5774]

Hey .. you're doing great .. we all make so called "mistakes", non of us is an expert .. and Mother Nature has her own twisted sense of humor to give us good lessons whenever she wants to have some fun .. teaching and making us wiser .. and that's a good thing, right :)) What always impresses me in those videos the most - it's your positive attitude, Evan, no matter what .. good energy, which radiates from your doings thousands of miles away .. and that's the thing which also keeps me motivated to do stuff which I sometimes just wouldn't bother to do .. lazy old dog as I am :))

[@roscoejones4515]

Love your on-time videos and the fact that you read and learn from the commenters! So many youtubers are so far behind with their vids, they make horrible errors in their projects and nobody can help. Glad you decided to bail up the hay, I don't know anything about it but it was obvious from the comments that it was the thing to do. Good job!

[@michaelping6853]

you are a hard worker Evan

[@paulmetz1168]

You’re doing a great job, listening and sharing others experience is always the key.