Small-Scale Haymaking (Country Workshop)

The author did a good job of describing a small haying operation done on a shoestring budget. He mentions early on that it is not economical to hay on a small scale with brand new, off the showroom, big iron. So he focuses on used equipment. Talks alot about each piece of equipment and how and when they are used in the areas of field preparation, planting and harvesting. As it should be, the harvesting section was the most detailed stressing the quality (nutrient value) of the hay and the proper drying techniques. Proper maintenance and safety were also addressed. Lots of pictures.Were this book could have been better: It should have talked more about the relative strenghts and weaknesses of the various types of forage and their use in different parts of the country. I would pair this book with Gene Logsdon's "All Flesh is Grass" for more on this. I also wish Mr. Yost had done some research into the alternatives to square bales, such as round bales and haylage.All in all, a good book for anyone interesting in learning about haymaking. It filled in some gaps for me and leaves me more confident when I purchase that piece of land and a tractor.

This book is a good introduction to classic small-scale haymaking, at least from the used equipment side of things. The many pictures complemented the text very well. That said, there was essentially zero information on the various types of haymaking plants which you might want to consider for your operation, which would probably require an entirely separate book. The best source of information on that topic will be your local agricultural extension service(s) anyway. Not much mention of modern machinery and techniques, but you probably cannot afford to invest in all new equipment and make any money with a small operation anyway, so the author delivers as promised.

I was looking for a guide to something smaller - like an acre by hand. This one's smallest field is more than 5 acres

This book may be perfect for you if you only have 20-30 acres of hay and a very tight budget for equipment. All of the equipment presented this this book is very old and the discussion is exclusively on small square bales. No modern equipment is mentioned, nothing on round bales, and nothing on haylage or straw. Also, the organization of this book was very frustrating to me. On the plus side, the photos are abundant and helpful.

Great book, if you are haying 300 acres and are owned by the bank - this book is not for you. If you have 5 to 100 acres, it is for you. With used equipment, a modicum of mechanical ability (you can't farm at any level without at least an honest try), and the time and interest to give it a go - you can supply yourself with all your hay needs, or actually turn a pretty fair profit. I highly recommend it...

I got this book because we're new to farming and haymaking. The book was informative, but I wished there was a bit more on the actual mowing, tedding, raking, and bailing process and your actual time tables. The info on repairs is great.

good

Haveen't read all but it is helpfull and has usefull tips.

Nice

Great book to help teach beginners hay farming. It focuses on older machinery, which was great as this is what we have. The pictures are very helpful as well.