Square Bale Handler

As described in more detail in Rural Renaissance (written by John and Lisa), we heat our granary greenhouse using both an active solar thermal system consisting of ten 4-foot by 10-foot collectors and a modified oil furnace that burns homemade biodiesel,...

Consider using a soaker hose for ease of irrigation.Straw bale garden maintenance will include regular fertilization as well. Starting a straw bale garden is an inexpensive and viable option to working up the soil in a regular garden.

Do not cut or sever the twine holding the bale together. A garden you plant in hay will require constant weeding. Hay, which farmers use as animal feed, contains more seeds. Plants thrive in hay bales because there is no soil to become compacted, and...

Place bales on top of the plastic, end to end tightly, in rows with the twines facing up. Fertilize with about 2 oz. As the bales continue to decompose, they hold more water and retain it for a longer period.

What's better than producing your own hay for your livestock? It's not the easiest of tasks, but baling your own hay is a satisfying project that is—in my opinion—well worth the effort involved.

Place the hay 6 inches deep and spread it out 6 inches to each side of the row, so that the row is at least 1 foot wide and 6 inches deep.Add more straw as the plants begin to peek through, in order to keep the base of the plant entirely covered.

Add the composting hay to the other materials by clipping the twine that holds the bales in place. Add the twine to the compost heap or save it to use as organic ties for. Lay out a number of bales to create a square outline, then add a second layer of...

Many years ago, I was building conventionally and even though I worked hard to build green—even before it was trendy to do so! I always felt that there must be a better way. That said, I have some favorites that I have built and other favorites that...

This simple raised-bed technique safely eliminates the need to stoop all the way to the ground, reducing many injury concerns associated with in-ground planting and conventional raised beds that are only a foot or so above ground.

Cover the pile with black plastic to increase water retention during dry periods and prevent nutrient depletion from rainwater runoff. The benefits of incorporating hay or straw into your compost bin are numerous: It can be used to create a large amount...

According to Parman, the two organizations will continue to collaborate and create online training modules to address key issues facing the livestock industry. Proper livestock handling and animal care is a major concern for livestock producers and auction...

If storing small square bales, stack the bottom layer on their sides with the strings facing sideways instead of up. If you decide to bale hay in large bales, wrap them with net wrap or plastic twine to reduce bale sag and help maintain bale shape.

I attribute this to the decaying straw providing nutrients to the roots. You have several choices: if you want to go organic you can use blood meal (15-0-0,), fish meal (5-2-2 or urea (46-0-0.) Otherwise you can go with ammonium sulfate (21-0-0).

If the straw is not dry enough to bale, the farmer allows it to set on the uncut stubble for several hours before baling. Actual growing time until harvest depends on the number of favorable growing days, warm and sunny, as well as the amount of moisture.

The UM Extension emphasizes the need to put out small quantities when using this system. Finding a good deal on hay or learning to make it yourself are ways to maximize your hay dollar.

Leubben of Nebraska invented the first modern baler. Whether it's cheaper to buy or bale your own depends on a slew of variables, including whether you have access to established hay ground, if you own haying equipment, and if you have the time and the...

The Hay Price Calculator app retails for $0.99. The U of M Extension's horse team worked with researchers from the university and across the country to find solutions. Farmers have said the app will also be useful to determine the price per ton of corn...

From this profile, a safe diet can be formulated to meet your herd's needs in a cost-effective manner. Total hay DM disappearance was reduced by 17.6 percent when cows had access to hay for eight hours per day versus 24 hours per day.

Cattle, goats and sheep are also prone to fescue foot, a type of dry gangrene that causes parts of the hooves and tail to rot and fall off. Much of the tall fescue grown in North America is infected with a fungal endophyte that produces ergot-like alkaloids...

Some are made of leather, some are knit, some are deerskin lined with Thinsulate, some are designed for winter with waterproof inserts, some are made of tough rubber with cotton backs—you name it, I probably have it.

Features include a Cat C2.2 engine, advanced hydraulic system and world-class operator station with intuitive S-control pattern joysticks and high-efficiency comfort controls. Earth Tools also distributes the Molon of Italy side-delivery, walking-tractor-powered...

Although they don't usually cause much damage to crops, blister beetles contain a bodily fluid that causes blisters, and horses that eat hay containing the beetles will develop internal blisters that can cause death.

Remove from heat, ladle into individual bowls, and let risotto rest for a minute before serving. Liquid should be a little soupy because the Parmigiano cheese, oil (or butter), and final whipping will tighten up sauce, which should be opaque, bathing...

Weave the yarn into cotton fabric on looms. Fibers are about 1 to 2 inches long.Comb the cotton fibers so that they lie side by side and form a soft rope called a sliver.Twist the fibers in the sliver with a spinning device that turns fibers into yarn.

Place the bale at one end of the garden and clip the ties that run around the bale. Insert a trowel or sharp shovel to help break up the bale into pieces.freestar.queue.push(function() { googletag.display("div-gpt-ad-300x250-ATF-1"); });Place the straw...

So, on the "hot" and "cold" composting spectrum, this particular pile was Ice Nine. By spring, it has shrunk to about 18 inches high, and I use it as a planting platform for such crops as tomatoes & cantaloupe, which co-exist happily & benefit from not...

It's designed to feed big, round or big, square bales, is bull-proof and feeds up to 20 cows at any one time. Nelson feeders have a built-in, feed-saver lip that prevents feed flinging; they're also warranted for one year.