Grass and Hay Update
Thursday, October 20th, 2011
Rye Grass is Growing!!
Last week, I so enjoyed sharing with you the blessing of rain on our newly planted winter grass seed. Since then, I put out one more bag of seed in the smaller pens used to finish our grass fed beef calves. Even though there was no chance of rain in the forecast, it rained that night giving us an additional 1/10 of an inch. Early Tuesday morning, it rained again a little. My husband and I are now in the process of watching the grass sprout and grow. It is an exciting time for us. Apparently we are easily entertained!
It just goes to show how important grass is for us. Many people don’t seem to understand the implications of a drought like the one we are experiencing. To them they just have to water their yard more often. Grass in any form is life-sustaining for our herd, our horses, and the wild animals. Of course, grass directly affects our livelihood of raising and selling grass fed beef. We have to have grass.
Another form of grass that we needed was hay. We had some already put up in the barn, but we did not have enough to make it through the winter. We still needed to acquire over 200 round bales.
Prices on hay have gone through the roof. Every day that passed, as my husband spent hours on the phone and internet trying to find hay, the prices kept going up. In fact, one of the last people my husband spoke with wanted $145.00 a bale. Yes, $145.00 a bale! That is obscene.
Last week I asked for any tips that would allow us to find the amount of hay we needed for a reasonable price. We had been praying about this source of grass for our herd as well. I am happy to announce that we secured a source for all of our hay needs. Already an 18-wheeler has brought us the first load. The great news is that the price quoted to us before they brought out the hay was about less than half what the last person wanted.
When Lane asked for the amount owed, the driver shaved off some of the delivery fee. Needless to say, we were thrilled with the decrease in price. Most of all we are thrilled and thankful with God’s provision for us as winter is soon to be approaching. After the summer we have had, it feels like nothing short of a miracle. And, I just wanted to share this true story with you.
In addition, the first cold front of the season blew in this week. We put on light jackets and stayed outdoors just to relish in the cold wind. After a record-breaking summer with day after day temperatures soaring to well over 100 degrees, the gusty wind and cool temperature is completely refreshing. Everyone was feeling good. The horses frolicked, the dogs acted like puppies, and the calves played in the pastures. Everything seemed to feel younger.
God is sending rain at the perfect times. The rye grass is growing in the pastures. Our hay needs are secured for a good price in today’s market. We are finally getting relief from the heat. All just in the nick of time as the first cold front blew through our area. Praise God, who gives exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20)!
