Hay Saver

Shepherds are always looking for ways to save hay. If the flakes are tossed on the pen floor, the sheep rake through the leaves and stems with a front hoof before nibbling on the best stuff. If the hay is tossed in a feeder, lambs jump in and trample on it.

Enter the horse hay net experiment. I bought out of Tractor Supply Company’s purple hay nets (granted, they only had two on the shelf) and Rural King’s green hay net (one on the shelf) to see if hay savings could be accomplished for sheep.

Lo and behold, the answer is yes. I’ve been running through hay bales more slowly, and the animals eat more slowly, too, good for digestion.

Thanks for Reading!

And I hope you feel refreshed and rejuvenated for the week ahead with this moment preserved in picture and prose. Consider:

• What could save you some “hay” this week? ("Hay” could equal resources, time, money, etc.)

Share your answer and this newsletter with a friend or family member who would melt over lamb photies.

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This Week on the Farm

This week, I’m speaking at the state’s Agriculture Women Engage conference on photography and videography! Specifically, I’ll be talking about how to brighten your online presence with some simple photo and video tips.

I’m sorting through phone and camera photos to pick a few for my presentation. Which of your favorite Sylvan Sundays photos should be included? Hit reply to this email to let me know your suggestion!

Here’s a Shetland replacement ewe with the hay net, so you can see the full view (the green post is part of the gate):