Toys for Boys

Every time J has to feed for us he and has trouble rolling out the old bales he says we need a bale processor.  A couple of weeks ago we had to stop at the John Deere dealer and they just happened to have some so we looked at them and M visited with the salesman about them.  Next thing I know there's one sitting in our yard "to try out".  We all know how that ends up, don't we?

For the uninitiated, the processor basically chops up the bale and shoots it out the side.  This one also has a bin for grain which is part of why M thinks it is a good idea.  We have 5000 bushels of pea, lentil and wheat screenings.  We grind that and feed it to the calves with buckets but don't have a good way to get it to the rest of the herd.  M's good friend and livestock guru says the cows can fill up with more pounds of food eating the chopped hay and gain better.

We've been using it for about a week.  M is happy with how his cows and calves are cleaning up the hay, even the old stuff.  I think it is a lot more hassle than rolling out bales, especially since he sends me to grab bales for him with the pickup.  The other day M said we need to make up our minds if we're going to keep it or not.  I voted no, but I'm pretty sure I don't really get a vote.  He hasn't given me the official word, but I'm pretty sure we'll be keeping it.  I think J may be sorry that he suggested we need one.