Farm Journal -Cider Hill Farms

[CCF]

After the fields were cultivated and disked, several farm employees planted on winter squash and pumpkin/gourd seedlings. Because of the nature of the plants and soil used on the farm, these plants need to be started off in seedlings, then planted on by hand:

Although the large amount of rain that the farm has been received has helped this year's crops immensely, it still has caused some standstill on the farm. Although the rain has not down poured many times this summer, it has still kicked up a large amount of minerals and sediment that poured into the farm's pond, and in turn clogged up the irrigation filters on the drier days in which the irrigation system was needed. As the forecast called for a relatively dry week, the farm owner drained the pond completely, and dug up the sediment with the excavator:

[CCF]

As we have said always, nothing goes to waste on the farm. The many rain storms that the farm has received has left some of the farm roads with large ditches formed by the rainwater draining into surrounding dips by the road. All of the sediment that was dug up from the bottom of the pond was thereafter brought up to the roads that needed mending, and spread with the bulldozer crawler by Dave:

The road from the barnyard to the field was the first road to be fixed, as it was unsafe to drive on in some spots. Before:

After:

Hate to say it, but that's all for this week folks! The next journal will focus on the final cut of hay.

[CCF]

As the farm is now starting to finish up in the fields, we can now see that fall is fully under swing. This week, the farm focused on cutting and bailing it's last hayfield that had enough height to be cut. Considering the immense rain followed by a two week drought, we were quite surprised at the number of bales produced from this field. Overall, it turned out to be a decent last cut.

Early in the Morning, Marky and Dennis K, a newly hired Farm Employee took the older gator out of the barn and proceeded down to the hay field on the back road woods path:

The Farm Owner had brought down all of the haying machinery and parked it under a grove of trees the night before:

[CCF]

The Farm Owner had Denis sit in the passenger seat of the Self Propelled Mower, and taught him how to use the machine. He later let Denis cut a row of hay, he seemed to handle the machine well being his first time:

[CCF]

After the mowing was done, Marky came out on the Massey Ferguson and baled the hay. The cut hay had a good moisture rating, so the baling did not take long at all:

After the hay was baled, Gavin picked up the bales with the loader, and placed them onto the flatbed farm truck:

[CCF]

After everything was picked up, the farm truck was loaded with an astonishing 15 bales, not a great number but much more than what the farm had expected. These bales will be placed in the loft and used most likely during the farm's annual End-Of-The-Year Party. After everything was completed, the machines were parked back under the tree grove, and everyone left for the day:

Hate to say it, but that's all for this week folks! Tune in next week for some fall crop harvesting!

[MJB1]

still on the ball tim ! good to see marky milkybar kid always waving 

[CCF]

Many thanks Marcus! 

[jdman]

brilliant as usuall tim and many thanks for includeing me ;)

[Murray]

looks well nice we set up you have there brilliant we spot for photos well done 

[CCF]

Many thanks for the positive words! 

[CCF]

It's been a while! 

FALL HARVEST

With the beginning of November upon us, the farm took the past day to harvest up anything that was left in the field. As the fields are now done for the year, we drove out on the Loader and Skid Steer for the harvest. First, Denis and Garret harvested what was left of the pumpkins. Only 1/4 of a bucket was filled. These will most likely be used for pies:

The other crop left in the field was Winter squash. Marky, Dave, and Denis filled up two overflowing buckets with what was left, a very good final harvest. We will cover the buckets for the night, and store the harvest in the barn the next working day:

[CCF]

Out in the other field, the Farm Owner ran the chopper through the last corn field:

Finally, Gavin cut the grass around the field for the final time this year. There was not much left to cut, as the grass and weeds drastically stop growing when the first frost hits:

The farm could have not chose a better day to finish up work in the fields:

Hate to say it, but that's all for this week folks!

[smallclaas]

More great pics and going on's down at Cider Hill Farms Tim  will you be giving the workers a day off to go and Vote in the US Presidental election? 

[Rieko]

Nice actionpictures!!!

But could you tell the one guy not to wave everytime he sees a camera 

[Udimore]

This topic is the greatest without exception so I have reopened it for anyone to read who has yet to had the pleasure...

And for the rest of us read through it and it will make you chuckle I promise 

[CCF]

This topic is the greatest without exception so I have reopened it for anyone to read who has yet to had the pleasure...

And for the rest of us read through it and it will make you chuckle I promise 

Appreciate the comments my friend, I had a lot of fun making this in times past. Hope to put something new up here by the end of the year if time permits...stay tuned! 

[Light Land]

Can't wait timbo!

[Lady Ferguson]

Well, that is good news. We all loved the Cider Hill Farm Journal... fab characters, brilliant storyline and excellent models

[BC]

I look forward to your updates Tim.

[Tractorman810]

looking forward to that tim, been a long missed topic and member posting infact