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Feed the Cows (Contextual Activity)

3:37
21:46
30K views

At 3:37 in

This won't buff out! HAMMER TIME!

What happens here

The farmer drives the TYM tractor, now equipped with a bale spear, to a stack of hay bales. He spears a large round bale and then proceeds to cut the netting strings off the bale using a knife. He mentions that he typically feeds his 25 cows two bales of hay per day, but due to recent consumption, they will need three. He then drives the tractor with the hay bale into the pasture, opens the gate, and deposits the bale for the cows. He explains that there is ample stockpiled forage in other pastures, but water access during cold weather (15-degree temperatures) is an issue, so he cannot move the cows yet. He briefly touches upon rotational grazing and building topsoil by unrolling hay bales.

Goal: Provide hay to the cows and explain related farm management practices.

Tools and materials

  • Bale Spear — Attaching to the tractor to lift and move hay bales
  • Knife — Cutting the strings around the hay bale
  • TYM 254 Tractor TYM — Transporting and distributing hay bales
  • Work Gloves Stoney Ridge Farmer — Protecting hands while handling hay and tools
  • Hay Bales N/A — Feeding the cows