irish (08/05/82)
This may seem like a stupid query. Last week, while driving through Nebraska, my husband and I saw many LARGE pile of hay sitting out in fields. Some piles were new (from this year's harvest), but some were obviously from last year - grey and rotten-looking. My question is: why do these farmers let their hay stacks rot? Is there some purpose to this? Just curious... Laura
tsd (08/09/82)
For those interested, the large piles of hay Laura mentioned are produced
by a relatively new form of hay baler which rolls the hay in very large
and very tight cylinders. They can then be moved around by a forklift
type device. The reason they can be seen left rotting in the fields is
that since they are rolled so tight, the outside facing the elements rots
but the inside stays fine. The convenience in handling makes up for what
portion of hay is wasted by rot. Farmers can tear off the rotten portion
and let the animals eat right from the bale in the field.
Tim Davidheiser
(psuedo ex-farmboy)
nscs!tsd