Haying - Mowing It Down on the Ranch & Farming

Haying has begun and ranching now becomes farming as we take the first step in harvesting our hay for winter use. Today we take a look at the Rowse double 9 mower, how to cut efficiently and repairing broken teeth and guards. We cut wheatgrass and alfalfa, all to make some happy cows.
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Our Wyoming Life
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Join us on our journey as we leave a life in corporate america to come back to Wyoming and help on the family ranch.
Our Wyoming Life features our Wyoming ranch and our ranch family. Giving you a look into the workings of ranching from raising cattle to raising and harvesting crops. Erin will join you weekly out of the garden, showing you how she helps provide for our family through growing produce and gardening to selling at local farmers markets, and Mike will take you along as he tends to the animals and land of ranch, raising beef, from calving to fencing to planting and harvesting hay.

[@Gunrunner4532]

You ranchers are heroes. We’d all be in bad shape without you.

[@kingkong7882]

I grow up in South America and live in Minneapolis for 19 years and ever time you say we are all family is very touching. We love you and your family too.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you very much - Mike

[@tokencivilian8507]

Here's hoping we get to see you haying in 2022. Good to see what it looked like a few years back.

[@haileym7709]

This video is absolutely incredible and eye opening! Thanks for not only educating, but also teaching in your videos!

[@roncarlson228]

Worked a dairy farm during my teenage years and putting up hay was quite a chore. old Oliver rowcrop tractor and a 14t John Deere baler which went fairly well,the part that will never forget putting the bales on elevator and up they go to hay mound in barn and yes someone had to stack them up there,OMG it was hot,that kind of farming is long gone and yes its was around late 50s early 60s, life was good and $20.00 dollars a week. love your u tube channel Mike and a rode trip to the ranch is on my bucket list,God bless you and family.

[@robertrockwell7581]

Thank you and your family for what you do.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you Robert and thanks for watching - Mike

[@MrBugulNoz]

Just getting started in the lifestyle,thank you for preparing me for the challenges that are about to come before me

[@OurWyomingLife]

Not a problem at all, the challenges are all ready to be over come! - Mike

[@scakya1]

Thank you Mike for sharing. I remember the 6' mower blade we used on our family farm. Greasing zirts as you spoke about is incredibly important! )

[@OurWyomingLife]

Yup, a bad thing to forget. Thanks - Mike

[@dklarsen1705]

Hey Mike just found your channel and love it! I was raised and worked on dairy farms in MN til my mid 20s, but now live in Billings. Your videos remind me how great the farm life can be. I also spent 8 years as a service tech at a Deere dealer so your taste in tractors makes me happy too lol. Keep up the good work!

[@lorrieruff4402]

Never did this part of farming. but I had seen it done a lot, but it's nice to hear the explanation with what I have seen in the past.

[@salmonhunter7414]

I think I said it before but I never seen a double sickle. Works really well thanks for sharing.

[@joelmollenkopf3767]

I never seen a double one here in Ohio!

[@OurWyomingLife]

They do work well. Thank you for watching :) - Mike

[@jimmason1072]

Yes I remember the hay cutting process with my grandfather! Over 45 years now! He used a Sickel mower but " riveted on blades" and he would sharpen them with a hand turned wet stone! The whole mower blade hanging above your head as you turned the wheel. But those days are done and he would be very amazed at how you are doing things. Nice to see the set-up of your ranch. And well done videos! Good job!

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you Jim. I love the old tech too. Amazing how they did it back then. I've had to deal with riveted sickles before. Not much fun. Thanks-Mike

[@GerraldFarms]

It’s amazing all the different types of Hay. 👍🏻

[@OurWyomingLife]

There are tons ! Get it...tons! lol Thanks - Mike

[@inadollard6672]

Thanks for the memories, loved the smell of fresh cut hay

[@jacksak]

Ina Dollard: Same here... love that smell... I was born on a farm in the 1940's and remember horse-pulled hay wagons with loose hay, not bailed...

[@GDSTX]

Great stuff - I am a horse show manager - and my favorite time is early in the AM when the facilities guy is running the tractor in the arena to smooth out the arena - so peaceful - and it always looks beautiful when he’s done

[@OurWyomingLife]

Oh yes, I hear ya, love the look of a nicely manicured arena. Thanks for watching - Mike

[@mikefortune4796]

Hi Mike and Erin im proud to be part of your family and what a lovely family to be part of

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you Mike, we are proud to have you in it as well! - Mike

[@46rambo49]

woof, a sickle bar and dry farming, those were the days. Thanks for taking the time to share your process, brings back memories. I think I still have the buck rake around here if you really want to go medieval farming. Thanks again, Happy Trails

[@OurWyomingLife]

Haha, we were debating doing a history of haying video and trying out all old tech. Might be fun. Thanks - Mike

[@goldfire1676]

Good one Mike

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you very much - Mike

[@miguelamaya6246]

Thank you for sharing your video ...

[@leol1682]

Love the video Mike and your families .

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you very much and thanks for watching - Mike

[@jerrycoon4504]

Great vid Mike! Thats a pretty serious mower. I used to help haying with an old boss of mine. It was back in the 80's. He used all antique tractors and equipment. It was a much smaller scale of course. I actually enjoyed it. He cut it and tedded and raked before baling. I always seemed to get the job of throwing bales. Everyone else wanted to drive the truck or stack. If you're afraid to get a little dirty and sweaty, it's probably not the job for you. LOL!

[@OurWyomingLife]

I like it, but it does get old. lol Thanks - Mike

[@zach_hewitt]

Was out looking at my small fields for hay, not much there, some spots not even 6 inches. Glad somebody got some.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Hey Zach, heard you guys were dry, in fact I talked to a couple of guys that sell hay and they said alot is going south. My hay isnt great and the big problem right now is getting it baled before its too dry. Its a rush. - Mike

[@RRRIBEYE]

Just 'met' you today. I enjoyed your video. I live in the country in Northeast Iowa and we have many large-scale farming operations surrounding us. My college years were spent studying Agri-Business and my work experience has been with heavy equipment and custom farming. I never was much involved with animal feed and nutrition - but was required to take those courses and I can certainly appreciate your need to 'stock your cattle's pantry' and enjoyed your delivery in your video. I'm happy to click the subscribe button to watch more - and will enjoy going back in time to watch other videos you and your family have produced. Stay safe - keep guard of those fingers!

[@OurWyomingLife]

Hey Mike! Glad you found us, thanks a bunch. Looking forward to hanging out with ya and thanks for watching - Mike

[@TwoFarmBoys]

I know a lot of people don't like haying. But for some reason I love it! Especially, at the end of the day! I've just always found it interesting. Just all the moving parts and all the elements for it all to go right! And the smell of freshly cut hay on a summers evening. I love cows and hay! Anyways, nice video.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you very much, I get it. It is a great time of year :) - Mike

[@gateway8833]

My dad had a ranch in Wyoming, I sure do miss that place. I loved doing the hay. My mother lived in Louisiana, I had to pull Tobacco, chop Cotton, cut Rice, work in the Chicken pens and Egg houses. Hay was a dream come true.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Haying sounds like a good trade :) Thanks - Mike

[@danielweber4432]

Great video Mike.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you very much - Mike

[@glenparks5175]

That's a slick setup,

[@dykstrastexels443]

You really capture good footage on this one. Always enjoy your videos. Thanks for posting.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you very much - Mike

[@brandeissports3436]

♥️ I really enjoyed this video. Childhood memories again, refreshed.

[@glenparks5175]

Glad you use the old school sickles, that's all me and my Dad used, two old Ford sickle mowers, both 7 footers cut a lot of hay with those two machines and two small tractors, a mf 35 diesel and little Ford 8n

[@anthonydierlam5560]

Thank you for the video

[@787Earl]

Thank you

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you Earl - Mike

[@jenhoney9741]

Blessings to you and Erin! Hope y'all get a bit of recovery time.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you Jen - Mike

[@michaelheim3585]

Haha love the Chris part! Listened to the song earlier this morning and listen to it about everyday

[@OurWyomingLife]

That is awesome, it is a good one! Thanks - Mike

[@brendanstanford5612]

Good old Chris Ledoux. I miss his concerts. I would go every year. I love the stories he tells in his songs

[@OurWyomingLife]

As do we. Chris lived a few miles away as the crow flies and we always enjoyed seeing him. Thanks - Mike

[@brendanstanford5612]

Our Wyoming Life. That's cool that you were neighbors! Too bad you can't use any of his music on your videos. Chris' music would be the "cherry on top" for some of your videos!

[@steve647my]

Like the video. It brings back memories of working on our neighbors farm during the summer and when we had time off from school. We lived in town and their farm was about 35 miles away. They had about 160 acres and all they grew was alfalfa and hay. Lot of cutting and baling. Hope it dries for you and you are able to bale it quick. Your bcs sure does a nice job in the high tunnel, makes it easier for your wife. Keep the video's coming. Thanks

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you very much, love that we can help bring back those memories, and yes Erin loves the BCS - Mike

[@anthonyg4060]

How fitting! Just finished my second cutting of bermuda this evening on the NC/SC border. And a whopping 20 acres at that...

[@OurWyomingLife]

Any hay is good hay! Thanks - Mike

[@ResidentEngineer1]

Another awesome video. Great content and very informative. Have a great week haying and be safe. 🌾🐂

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you sir, a busy week, thats for sure. - Mike

[@larrymoore6640]

Seems like every time I see a baling series there is a new piece of equipment. I like that idea of a dual cuter.

[@minenotyours9031]

Wow that mower does such a nice job I've never seen one in action. Thanks 👍

[@OurWyomingLife]

It does work well. Thanks for watching - Mike

[@willirish9962]

Cracking video thanks mike. We are just about to start haying as well

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you very much and thanks for hanging with us - Mike

[@larryfisher5796]

I enjoy your Videos Mike I used to work on a farm in Iowa I'm to old to do that work .I miss it so I really enjoyed your work and videos

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you Larry. Love the fact that we can bring that back to you. - Mike

[@AutoCrete]

Farming has become a lot easier over the last 50 years. Grease guns have as well. Bolts for mower teeth beat the heck out of rivets.

[@waltertaljaard1488]

Overhere in the Netherlands we get much more water and rain and the soil is a lot more vertile. That's why we do not need such wide extended pasture land for our (mostly dairy) cows as you do. We mostly use press feed fermented wet cut grass bales for winter fodder instead of hay, because it contains more minerals. Just rake it up immediately after cutting and bale it in plastic, so that oxygin can't get in it in order to make it ferment. It does smell a bit, but the cows love it, and you can store it for two years.

[@ford4life069]

Love Chris LeDuex. Didn't get to see him before he passed.

[@geanitsucuneli4791]

You got the freedom! Nice in Cool!

[@bgfarmandhomestead9278]

Our hay season around here results in several cuttings. My favorite is the last , I always feel like I wasted a day of work just going in circles. LOL Take care and god bless.

[@OurWyomingLife]

That it is, and you have lots of time to think. Thanks - Mike

[@mr.brownplumbing]

The content dude is unherd of. Thank you

[@42thgamer80]

Love your videos!

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you very much - Mike

[@terrybruce5923]

Hi Mike and Erin...its nice to see you move into yet another phase of the ranch operation. I can see where each step ends with a little sweat and swear, some weariness and a lot of gratification. I think that few people really understand the work involved that precedes a trip to the farmer's market and he grocery store...us normal folks that is, but certainly not ranchers/farmers like y'all. Thanks for your dedication and resolve. Be careful out there. Terry - Justin Texas

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you very much Terry, did you ever get my email? I have lots of tractor time to think about things like that :) - MIke

[@terrybruce5923]

Hi Mike...I did and thank you very much...feel free to share with Erin if you like. I was just waiting a bit since you had so much going on with the calving and getting into haying the very next day...you are Mr. Energy. I will answer that tomorrow, Terry

[@rodneywroten2994]

oh how I remember the summers wow. wish I could help

[@OurWyomingLife]

In a weird way, you keep me motivated. Thank you Rodney - Mike

[@SWITCH7425]

Watching you from Zambia Central Africa.....learning a ton

[@doloresdavis2411]

I wanted to jump on the mower with you. It made me remember great times with my grandfather. He powered his with horses. :)

[@OurWyomingLife]

That is super cool. Thank you - Mike

[@calumanderson5617]

Yeah,, sounds normally about the dirty words when it comes to hay season time when things just love to brake, don't think I've ever come across one without broken machinery to mend in a hurry, great video Mike 👍 looking forward to your next vid,

[@OurWyomingLife]

You know it. Thanks Calum - Mike

[@chadhazekamp6952]

Great video Mike . I like that mower!

[@OurWyomingLife]

It is nice, the more I use it the more it grows on me. Thanks Chad - Mike

[@annagn100]

great video hi from Australia love all of your videos thanks so much for sharing. this is a great informative channel you have. I feel as though I am truly on the ranch with you.

[@OurWyomingLife]

That is awesome, we love australia as well.Glad you found us and thanks for watching - Mike

[@peteparks3566]

you are so lucky to be able to live out there where the hay fields are so flat where I live here in the foothills North Carolina the hay fields are not that flat they have Rolling Hills can be a challenge to cut I love to be out there cutting in a Wide Open Fields like that thanks for videos I'll keep watching

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you very much, those hills can pose problems. - Mike

[@dj_ath]

I love the smell of fresh cut hay in the morning

[@OurWyomingLife]

It does smell nice, with a little bit of dew Thanks Ronald - Mike

[@ronpollockdrywall]

I stacked the old square bales hay in Cody WY. We worked 7am to 7pm with a 1 hour lunch break. Bob Capron ...my boss...would turn on his radio and we listened to Paul Harvey News. Good times. We stacked for many farmers..ranchers. We stacked for the famous T.E. ranch up the South Fork Around 1975 summer

[@OurWyomingLife]

That is awesome. Lots of history up around there! Thanks for sharing - Mike

[@cowboy742]

I love working hay. Maybe I'll get a chance one day to come out there and spend a couple weeks helping you knock it out.

[@alexbrown979]

Mowing with the sickle mower seems like a more time consuming process. Especially because you can’t change which side the swather is on. I’ve honestly never seen one of these in action so it is pretty cool to see. Thanks!

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you very much Alex - Mike

[@danmaple2578]

Thank you that was a great video

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you Dan - Mike

[@caolanmurphy8475]

Great video Mike!

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you very much - Mike

[@ryannpina7634]

Great video

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you Ryann :) - Mike

[@logandorhout1088]

This makes me appreciate my postage stamp of a yard more and more.

[@OurWyomingLife]

I get that! Thanks Logan - Mike

[@roberto.peterson9917]

Worked for and on Flaring W Ranch first year irragation and bucking bales moving lines by hand 2 times a day to move lines 1 time equal 10 miles of walking then my cousin's and i would buck bales till 5 then change sprinkle lines again then maybe squeeze in another trailet or 2 of bales it help that we had a wheel bale picker up saving few steps walking beside trail to put bales on

[@MrC9Oh3]

Good work Mike, all those hours on the tractor are exhausting but it sure is rewarding.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Exhausting and boring at the same time lol - Mike

[@Midwestemergencyphoto]

You got my sub that is for sure, awesome videos , some beautiful country out there , keep up the great work

[@hunterigo3956]

Great job mike

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you very much - MIke

[@jrod264winmag]

One summer back in the 80's my dad and I hauled hay off a field down by Chris LeDoux ranch.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Very cool :) Then you werent too far from us Thanks - Mike

[@Travis-kw3mo]

Love your videos. I'm watching from Maryville Tennessee. I'd love to come visit Wyoming. So wide open and beautiful there

[@BBurt775]

Yup this video went well with my coffee, good video mister 👍 I like it.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Awesome. Glad to hear! - Mike

[@jeanettewaverly2590]

Very informative and interesting, Mike! Good on you re: safety! I've heard too many stories about people getting maimed and killed in tractor accidents!

[@OurWyomingLife]

If I got hurt, Erin would hurt me much worse :) Thanks Jeanette - Mike

[@janniegordan8757]

God Bless you.

[@algrimsey]

Cool video.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you very much - Mike

[@Mary-had-a-lil-farm]

Ohhhhh! What a coincidence! I just found 2 of these very long saw like things with very sharp teeth (many! And they look like shark teeth) laying/ buried in the weeds along the very front of my barn. Hung them on the beam in the barn, rustic and pretty cool looking. But wow they are potentially very dangerous. Glad I found them before they found me lol. And thanks to this video, I now know what they are, lol.

[@bigsky2063]

I enjoy your channel! Keep up the great work.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you very much - Mike

[@debcarpenter8519]

Mike, remember to watch for rattlesnakes! Maybe do a "dangers in baled hay" video! Haha! Safe haying, and stay cool! Deb

[@OurWyomingLife]

They do happen and when they do, you guys will be the first to know! - Mike

[@deanbrown4512]

I have been taking for granted how easy I have it to how tough you have to make hay! We have fire ants so bad that we can't use cycle mowers. Good video, glad to see the kids in the tractor.

[@fermewestshefford]

Hi mike nice video!!

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you very much - Mike

[@g.r.4853]

I was born on a farm in New York State in the 40s and we (Dad) gave up the farming in the 60s. I mowed a few feet of hay, tossed a dozen or so 60-70 or so pound bales onto a wagon and stowed them in the barn. I was always amazed at the size of the western equipment, especially the mowers and “side delivery rakes” many feet wide until I saw this video. I was stunned on the sparse grass! Are all hay fields like that? Our hay fields totally covered the ground, no soil was visible. Pardon my ignorance but I have never set foot on western soil outside National Parks.

[@nashguy207]

Good video mike. Your editing was great on this video. I'M sure you are in the fields as I type this comment. Hope it all goes well for you today. God Bless!!!

[@OurWyomingLife]

So I was in the field most of the day and I do get the comments, but its hard to reply while bouncing around, so I wait til now 9:30 when I get back in the house. Thank you sir, I thought I got some nice shots and it was fun to make - Mike

[@stureid5928]

You can add the new Gator to your wish list - air conditioning and heat - both useful in Wyoming..Stu

[@OurWyomingLife]

Wouldnt that be nice lol Thanks Stu - Mike

[@BillTheTractorMan]

Mike, I sure miss haying! We would run my 1950 John Deere B (about 24hp) with a mounted John Deere #5 sickle mower. That mower was a whopping 7ft, and although our fields were much smaller, we had to plan for 7-10hrs of cutting a day. usually we took a lunch break, the sickle would be tuned up for the rest of the day. Some times pitman arms would break, I liked maple because it seemed to last the best. usually it was teeth that needed replace. for us that require taking out the whole sickle, riveting in the new teeth, and putting it all back together. I was really good with a hammer making rivets the summer I learned how to mow hay with grandpa. In fact, Mike if your interested in seeing how we made hay 1950's style I can gather links and write a little about each video in an email for you and your family. I feel as though I would like to share with you and your family, like you so wonderfully share with my family. Thanks, I really enjoy the videos.

[@MrBugulNoz]

Bill The Tractor Man I'd be interested in what you put together as well ;)

[@OurWyomingLife]

That would be awesome. Anytime! - Mike

[@MrJeffm66]

Love your videos from here in Georgia. I have always wanted to visit Wyoming, might not come back here if i do though. Love your channel.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Haha, I get that. It hard for us to leave as well. Thanks - Mike

[@Gixzer04]

@ourwyominglife some food for thought. I see you tried the sprinkler test n the par results. A deep aerator made for pasture n ag would help you big time. 80% more retention n keep those flash floods down too. Thought I’d mention it.

[@doriswalker7492]

I'm watching from Westminster MD

[@HumphreyFamilyHolsteins]

I love watching haying... just don’t think I’d love doing it!! Although who knows, I’ve never done it before. Good video!

[@mattfencl3614]

Humphrey Family Holsteins ive never done it either, like cutting your lawn!

[@HumphreyFamilyHolsteins]

Matt Fencl yeah just with cooler equipment!! Lol

[@OurWyomingLife]

You are more than welcome to come give it a try ! - Mike

[@HumphreyFamilyHolsteins]

Don’t threaten me with a good time!!

[@donaldhill2972]

I really like your vlogs!

[@moostiecakes]

Great video. I subscribed

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you very much and welcome :) - Mike

[@Gabbos]

that rain won't affect growth very much but it will greatly impact nutritional value

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thanks - Mike

[@alexdiersen]

Hello Mike. In Wyoming you say "haying." Here in Wisconsin we say "making hay."

[@OurWyomingLife]

Tomato, tamato lol Its always amazing to me the different ways of saying the same thing. I have talked to people all over the world and its not just in the US. I'm sure there is a video in there somewhere :) - Mike

[@pierrotgretillat9365]

Tank you vidéo magnifique bravo super

[@grantdubridge7995]

Hi Mike and family, I got a phone call today that said Wyoming and started with a 307 area code. A woman who's son is coming to college in Michigan. She needed a rug cleaned and repaired. I was disappointed it wasn't you calling to ask me a question. Have a great hay.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Not even sure I have your number :) Thanks Grant - Mike

[@grantdubridge7995]

Our Wyoming Life I know a resourceful guy like you could find it easy enough

[@OurWyomingLife]

Haha. Probably

[@roberto.peterson9917]

My days growing up bales much smaller and picked up (bucked) by hand summer job .07 per bale usually split 3 or 4 ways so really had to hussel to make wages sometime get little more if had to stack in a barn loft

[@Kachenalesmeister]

My daughter and I had passed there yesterday and my daughter had said and wow that looks exactly like Mike's hi tunnel and then she said oh that is his because she saw the house😂

[@OurWyomingLife]

Hahaha. If you know when you are coming by let us know. We would love to say hi. -Mike

[@loriehabel1552]

Around and around you go. Ac on, music going and the marrygo-goes around.😂 Arent you glad you round bale it😂

[@OurWyomingLife]

Oh yea, glad I dont have to buck squares. Thanks Lorie - Mike

[@brentderksen]

Have to get some vintage iron out cutting hay sometime!

[@OurWyomingLife]

That would be cool, do different haying technologies, see how long it takes. Could be a lot of fun. Thanks - Mike

[@moonwise8531]

How interesting cutter bars are a thing of the past in the UK . Some people use then for topping lank pasture. I posted a picture of my brother cutting our hay he uses a front mounted mower and a rear mounted mower on your face book page.we cut as we were losing crop with the dry weather we ended up with 75% of a normal crop. Your land looks a lot drier than ours.

[@OurWyomingLife]

We get about 14 inches annually, to this point this year we have had 4.66 inches of rain. Thanks - Mike

[@jeremygrubb9665]

Why not use a disk mower we use the here in ky and we have a lot of rock and a bunch of rolling hills the sickle mower usually don't cut well for us

[@joenadeau4419]

nice

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you Joe - Mike