Making hay while the sun shines

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 32, 21 January 1986, Page 11

Making hay while the sun shines

Waimarino farmers are wishing the humidity, heat and moisture would go away. These are the main problems affecting haymaking at present, according to haymaking contractor, Alan Proude. Normally by this time of year Mr Proude has made 1 5,000 bales, one third of his haymaking work. But last week he hadn't even started. Mr Proude has been baling hay since he was a 'wee fellow' and has contracted for farmers for ten years. "I've never been this late starting before," he said. President of the Waimarino branch of Federated Farmers, Doug Bennett agrees that this season has been an unusual one. "There's plenty of grass, but because of the rain we're unable to cut it," he said. Mr Bennett believes that as long as the grass hasn't been cut before rain, it will not be spoiled. However it will soon deteriorate as it will go to seed.

"We'll get quantity but not quality," said Mr Proude. Another problem with the late start for haymaking is the lack of labour, Mr Proude said. "There's plenty of labour over the Christmas break but everyone's back at work now," he said. Farmers are also about three weeks behind with shearing, Mr Proude be-

lieves. " A lot still haven't sheared ewes, especially those waiting for other people's sheds. A lot of people are selling their lambs woolly because they can't get shearing done," he said. Mr Bennett said farmers shouldn't complain about the rain because there might be a dry autumn like last year when there was little grass growth until October.