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Considering the reports from everyone, I cannot complain one bit, it seems many areas have been on the rinse cycle too long and a vast majority of rest is been in the dryer for too long, with a sparse few areas having some sort of balance in between. What I've noticed here is there was no opportunity to get into the fields on time, although I did speak with one person who is doing quite a bit of small squares, he recently took over a long time horse operation here that has some of the most beautiful rolling hills with astounding views a short distance away, ( a lot of our place has similar qualities, some really nice hayfields still in existence, glad the place was not sold, my parents helped bale those fields when they were young riders at the place ). He's got the latest equipment, he actually leases another property to a Challenger dealer, so when I saw the fields cut in June, he was the only one doing hay, his dry time is cut short by 1 day due to that new self propelled haybine. His fields are recent plantings too, so the hay is nice. Everyone else I see waited it out it seems, and the hay is past it's prime, containing a lot of tan, but dry at least.I just looked at some off the field, some may balk at it but I've seen much worse, I'd feed it no problem, that's me, others with horses are going to find that this is what is available and that's it. 2nd and 3rd cuts might be delayed, but it's growing quickly so there might be some redemption there, but you never get the same tonnage. We can't complain, rain has been enough to drive you crazy, especially wanting to make use of the outdoors as much as you can, winters always drag on and can be depressing if you are not busy. We usually have a better balance, but the last 2-3 years have been tough, mid summer 04 was a washout until fall, with all the hurricane remnants, although early season haying was good, 05 was a mix, still saw some good quality hay brought in, but this year was unreal, I've been out in the rural areas and it was the same all over, no one could get out on time, some of the corn was a little too soaked, 7 acres planted here has a few spots in itm, but it's recovered nicely. I think that a lot of the hay out there has finally been brought in around here, just kind of late and not the best being past it's prime, but it's gonna have to do, what else is there, this is nothing compared to those in a drought.
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