Haying in the Winter

[wvdexters]

Last year we started something new here and it has really worked well for us.  We bought an extra round bale feeder and use 2 now during the winter.  We put out 2 bales at a time.  Feeding one out then, and wrapping the other for next time.  The trick is to keep the cows out of the second until you need it.  We cover the extra round bale with a good heavy tarp and then wrap it up tight with extra field fencing.   Then we put the ring over everything.  The cows can't get into it and don't fool with it until the first is pretty much gone. 

It doubles the time you get between hayings and having to move big bales around in bad weather.  And it also works well when you are expecting really hard weather (like a polar vortex) and want to get everything stocked up before it hits.  

Now this would probably only work with small herds so sorry Hans. 

[lakeportfarms]

Funny wvdexters...With the number we have and the different herds, we're usually feeding 5 bales at a time anyway.  But maybe we can use your technique and put 10 out at a time!  Then I'd only have to feed every other day