3rd Cutting of Alfalfa

I took a 3rd cutting of alfalfa yesterday but I left at least half of it uncut. I just couldn't bring myself to cut anything that was too thin to make it worth my while. What I did cut seems to be dry already, enough to have baled today, but I didn't want to rake it into windrows with the night time temperatures in the 40's and low 50's and have to roll it to get it dry throughout. I'll rake it tomorrow first thing in the AM and maybe I'll get it baled tomorrow as the dew comes off. If not I'll get it baled tomorrow evening when the humidity hits it's magic 84% reading on my weather station. Either way it should put up very nicely even if it was in full bloom when I cut it. The rest of the alfalfa I plan on letting the cows graze once they come up from the back-9 field.

Rain Delay

Hightunnel work interrupted by rain. What a shame! (yes I'm kidding, I'd take about 10 more days/nighs just like it)

Hightunnel End Wall Frame

The work on the hightunnel has begun again. We've learned a lot from others in the county who have had theirs up for a couple of years or more. We have noted those things they wish that they had done differently and definitely those things that have caused total catastrophes. This week has been installing wooden posts to support solid side walls. Without exception, everyone who has a hightunnel has said that the sides are the most problematic. We know of one guy who had a failure of the sidewall that caused a total collapse of the entire hightunnel including bending his frame. This is why we've chosen to go with solid frame sidewalls and adding plastic panels similar to metal panels that we are attaching to a wood frame.