2019 cornstalk bales

Cornstalks have been rolled up. It was just in time... they now look like frosted mini wheats for cows.

 

Every year, we rake and bale cornstalks to use during the winter and spring months. The cornstalks are used as bedding for cows during the winter and for the cows and calves during the calving season in the spring. We are anticipating another rough winter. So this year, we rolled up over 100 bales to be prepared.

 

Cornstalks are also fed to our cows. They are fed in a ration with hay and silage. It works well for us. And, our cow enjoy it.

Friday on the Farm

frost on a straw bale

In the morning, I stepped outside to start chores for the day. Frost covered a straw bale setting beside a barn as I went inside to feed heifers. The frost was so beautiful and delicate. It glistened in the morning sun.

[ agriculture photos @ monicastevens.photoshelter.com ]

Friday on the Farm

freshly fallen snow

It was a beautiful, sunny winter morning. Overnight, snow had fallen. Fluffy snow covered cornstalk bales in the barnyard. The snow glistened in the sunshine. It was quite peaceful while feeding calves in the morning.

[ agriculture photos @ monicastevens.photoshelter.com ]  

Bedding...wood chips

loads of wood chips delivered to the farm

 

A couple years ago, we accepted a few loads of wood chips after a tree service trimmed trees nearby for our power company. We found the wood chips made great bedding for the feeder calves. It kept them very dry and comfortable through the fall and winter. Since then, we have loads of wood chips delivered each year to use as bedding for the calves. 

The wood chips are piled and stored outside. And, we use from that pile as needed. When we need to bed down the barn with woodchips, the loader tractor with the bucket attachment scoops them up and dumps them in the barn to be spread out on the floor. It works out pretty well. For calving season this spring, dad had me load the manure spreader with wood chips. I backed into the calving barn and spread the woodchips onto the floor of the barn. That was pretty amazing!

Yesterday, eight loads were hauled to the farm for the feed lot. We are very happy to be able to use the wood chips!

Friday on the Farm

a bale sits in the field

Cornstalks have been baled. After fields of corn are harvested, we have cornstalks baled. Throughout the winter, we use the bales. Cornstalks are used as bedding for calves in the feed lot, and cow herds. The cornstalks keep the calves and cows warm and dry.

Our Cows Love Cornstalks!

My cows make me smile. Yesterday afternoon was one of those times. Throughout the winter we set out cornstalk bales as bedding for the cow herds to keep them warm. Dad and I set out a bale for a cow herd Monday afternoon. Our cows love cornstalks...and it shows! [note the bale moving and cornstalks flying in the air] Enjoy the videos :)

Friday on the Farm

the sun sets on cornstalk bales

 

It was a chilly winter day when I snapped this photo on the farm. The sun began to set on rows of cornstalk bales dusted with snow. It was quite pretty and peaceful.

Friday on the Farm

the sun rises over cornstalk bales

Early one morning, the sun rose over a harvested field of corn. The sun slowly peaked over our round bales of cornstalks. I watched in amazement on the brisk, fall morning. The sunrise was in brilliant colors of orange and purple. It was so gorgeous! I absolutely love mornings like this on the farm!