2nd Cut? What 2nd Cut?

If you are a hay farmer you are not alone in starting to panic about whether or not you are going to get any 2nd cut in the barn!

Thankfully, our 1st cut is secured!

The late start to the 1st cutting season due to the wet and weird weather in the North East has meant that the 2nd cut is not at the height we would all like it to be. Add to that the unusually cool temperatures for August you might expect that as grasses generally like cooler weather the grass would be on a march skyward. Not so much. 

A recent sortie around our hay fields showcased some very slow growth, though admittedly we do not add chemical fertilizers after 1st cut is taken off the fields so our 2nd cut is not as robust as some other farmers might enjoy.

As we look forward to the 3rd week of August no haymaking weather is in sight for the next 10 days. Even then, temperatures are only in the mid to high 70's here, questionable usefulness for curing hay without preservatives. As an organic horse hay producer we rely on Mother Nature to provide all the curing factors for a great crop. So yes, we are beginning to get a little edgy at the prospect of a) a reduced crop b) will we be able to get in any 2nd crop at all?

As busy dressage clinicians hubbie and I have a host of scheduled appointments including some travel that involves booking international flights to our hosts in Portugal and Spain. We have horses to visit for clients that are currently available for sale, but judging by how long it is taking us to confirm our travel arrangements we may have to start over with a new review of prospects before we hop on a plane. Due to the haymaking issue that looks like it may stretch into early September and even mid September, all those plans are on hold. 

My hubbie Paul, trying out prospects at Stal Andre, Lisbon. Home of Antonio Monterio Borba.

Meantime our dressage colleagues in Portugal and Spain are desperate, as usual, for rain. Fire is a constant threat to property in these countries, and it is always worrisome when you own property there especially as fire insurance is restrictively expensive to purchase. 

Dry weather is a constant source of concern in Portugal and the Iberian peninsula in general

Of course on the plus side, and there is always one, the problems with petrol/gas supplies for motorists due to the striking oil/diesel/gas tank drivers in Portugal will hopefully be cleared up by the time we get there. Clinics involve a lot of driving about between venues and it is not unusual for Paul and I to drive many miles in our rental car, from Lisbon up to Santorem and North past Coimbra, before heading South all the way down to The Algarve and then across to Seville and down to Cadiz and Jerez. Lack of fuel supplies would make that impossible. 

We usually fly to Lisbon and head out from there

We have a few clients in Estoi and this Pousada Palace is the perfect place to stay

In Loule, The Algarve heading out to Villamoura

It is frustrating for all involved to say the least. Our 2nd cut customers call us for updates and are also nervous that with the reduced amount of 1st cut available due to so much grass having gone to haylage and not dry baling due to the weather, and the lack of 2nd cut hitting the market, they may be caught short on supply options.

So please Mother Nature, thanks for all the rain and cool temperatures to help make the 2nd crop grow, but could you please dish us out about 9 days of 85 degree weather toward the end of August?