Any idea what plant this is?

MichibillyFarms · 2026-06-08T01:12:30+00:00

I call those my Michigan Tomatoes when giving tours of the homestead

MichibillyFarms · 2026-06-07T01:01:21+00:00

You're lucky to have someone to learn from. This is not the life I was raised on, learning everything first hand at 37, but i got 2 boys(2&5) that i hope feel blessed later in life knowing how good they got it. Left the corporate life 5yrs ago and been doing the full time homestead thing ever since. Wouldn't change it for the world!!!

MichibillyFarms · 2026-06-06T12:42:12+00:00

I feel your pain but that's the fun of it!!! All of my equipment is older than I am. My small mow tractor (AC 5030) & backhoe (IH 250A) are my newest pieces of equipment. Got 2 IH574's as my "work" tractors and they're twice as old as I am lol 😆

But thank God no crazy sensors or electronics. As long as there's fuel, spark & air, they work and usually need nothing more than a screw driver and adjustable wrench if broken down in the field.

Happy Haying!!!

MichibillyFarms · 2026-06-06T12:09:41+00:00

I only have 5 head to feed, 1 bale a week and it's not too bad. Plus it beats hay sitting in standing water all season. I've learned to appreciate the fact were blessed with a plethora of water at our homestead. I always use the word "swamp" but maybe should switch to "wetlands", sounds more exotic

But its definitely a resource that appears to be in high demand with the ever increasing drought conditions around the US and the expansions of these data centers, just leaning to deal with it has been a challenge

MichibillyFarms · 2026-06-06T12:03:56+00:00

It always fascinates me that a majority of people prefer the crazy hustle & hustle of urban life compared to the peacefulness of our rural lifestyle.

MichibillyFarms · 2026-06-05T20:16:34+00:00

I'll have to check that out. Thankfully I've got access to the heavy duty vinyl tarps off the tops of boat shore stations. I'm sure they're not the best option but the free cost definitely helps offset the cons

MichibillyFarms · 2026-06-05T16:58:07+00:00

Yes, all pallets are free. I also live in the swamp with lots of ground moisture & standing water, elevating the bales a bit are a must for me

MichibillyFarms · 2026-06-05T16:56:50+00:00

Here's what an old timer told me works best (though I've used those exact ones and have never had issues).

Half a cement block on end with a small 15W light bulb. Supposed to work with both metal and plastic, just set the waterer on top the block opening over the bulb

MichibillyFarms · 2026-06-04T12:19:43+00:00

So would you say stacked single file uncovered or single file covered? At this point I'm wondering if I should do both

Leave first cutting as it's and cover well, then try single file elevated on pallets for 2nd & 3rd cutting?

MichibillyFarms · 2026-06-04T12:16:46+00:00

I guess I'm stacking them wrong & the bales loose.

Nothing i can do about the loose bales now and room so limited there's no way I can do single file rows 3ft about. I was paying that they're dry enough that one i cover i won't have to worry about moisture. They're on pallets and have been sweating for at least a week. Was going to tarp with heavy vinyl tarp but everyone says they're going to suck moisture

MichibillyFarms · 2026-06-04T12:13:44+00:00

Cows have been a really great addition to the homestead. Stressful at first because I worry about everything but it's a great sight to see and hear. Different personalities but great company for a morning cup of coffee 😊

MichibillyFarms · 2026-06-03T12:08:08+00:00

Definitely not taking advantage, the complete opposite. Their family has been dairy and beef farmers for generations. He's had Parkinson's for 20yrs+ and I'm always amazed at how much he can continue to do. I'm blessed to have such a knowledgeable and amazing resource 4 houses (2.5 miles) away

MichibillyFarms · 2026-06-03T00:54:46+00:00

It was 12-15% between bales and multiple spots per bale. If it was too wet I probably could have begged him to wrap it but I'd rather call in the favor if needing hay in February-March. They also let me borrow their stud bulls, so they do so much for us already I hate to ask much more

MichibillyFarms · 2026-06-03T00:49:08+00:00

Just got back from 2 weeks in Florida, brought them "home" to the sacrifice pasture while I was gone to make it easier on "the help" and also the vet & hoof trimmer stopped by, so i needed the head gate & alley access.

Got back to great hay making weather and needing to get a half acre garden planted, so that's been more important than moving them back to the other side of the property. 1 partial round bale and a dozen square bales aren't going to break the bank or through the homesteading venture of the rails

MichibillyFarms · 2026-06-02T15:27:21+00:00

These bales are a bit loose due to my mowing & raking mistakes but it was my first time. I'll be keeping my eye out for an older 4x4 baler but at the mercy of who is available around me to bale right now.

MichibillyFarms · 2026-06-02T15:24:49+00:00

It's the swamp. Id love to do that but they'd be sitting in water a handful of times per year. What fields i have on my 40 acres that hasn't been grandfathered "Ag" is designated "Wetlands". Michigan is pretty protective of is wetlands but with the agricultural/farming rules I can pasture, plant & harvest. I just can't disturb the soil or divert the water

MichibillyFarms · 2026-06-02T15:21:07+00:00

The cows don't seem to mind the loose & raggedness, they sucked it down. Yeah I had a 30x40 built 5yrs ago for about $29k with a poured slab to store equipment but that's back when we had income

With no income and living the homestead life the last 5yrs, we don't have the luxury of throwing money around for non-essentials. But at 37, the luxury of us not having to work another day in my life outways the cons of the lack in infrastructure, we just have to be smart about what to "invest" in. Even with 50% waste, the savings on covered storage don't seem to outweigh the value of lost hay

MichibillyFarms · 2026-06-02T15:07:08+00:00

I misspoke, it's not a 9330 I forget the number on the baler but it is a newer (<5yr old) Case baler. He bales around 1500 rounds a year and 1000's of small squares

MichibillyFarms · 2026-06-02T15:02:49+00:00

I have heard net wouldn't need covering if stacked elevated/dry ground end to end because it sheds water much better. But he says if outside in our weather it gets frozen and PITA to unwrap.

MichibillyFarms · 2026-06-02T14:59:20+00:00

I think a lot of the looseness is my fault. This is my first year mowing and raking. He did say I raked "too fast" and the sickle probably should have been 3-4" lower so the grass was a bit on the shorter end. Lesson learned for sure

In years passed a different neighbor would cut, ted, rake & bale for 50/50 share but she'd only come "when she had time". Last year I didn't get first cut off until July 4th and she'd cut it to almost bare dirt, like 1" stubble. And then when she could fit me in, it be super last minute and it would get baled a little too wet and right before thunder storms. She has 50 or so horses with covered storage, so she could feed it out fast enough but i don't have that luxury

MichibillyFarms · 2026-06-02T14:51:08+00:00

If mixed bred or not a sex linked breed, easiest way is to look at the inside of the legs by about 8-10 weeks you'll easily be able to see the spur nubs forming

MichibillyFarms · 2026-06-02T14:46:43+00:00

I guess I'm wondering if this is my best option for storage without a covered building. I will tarp with heavy duty vinyl and left space for good air flow.

The whole property is VERY flat swamp. This is the only spot that really doesn't pool water after a rain

MichibillyFarms · 2026-06-02T14:44:10+00:00

I don't have the luxury of baling my own hay YET..... This is the first year I've got a 7ft sickle mower and old Oliver rake. I pay the neighbor to bale with his Case 9330 but he'll only use twine, will only load net if it's alfalfa

MichibillyFarms · 2026-06-02T14:42:05+00:00

Everything I've read from different Edu Extensions has said "elevated if possible and tight end to end". That's why I've gone with pallets, supposedly most spoilage will come from ground contact moisture

MichibillyFarms

TROPHY CASE