Not quite sure what that translates to in America but in England we always used to talk about "leading in the hay". A group of local alpaca farmers all members of SOJAA (State Of Jefferson Alpaca Association) have sourced some very decent third curtting hay from up near Bend in central Oregon. The hay is being delivered today to Suri Haven Alpacas the home of Dean and Dorothy Otten in Eagle Point.
I head out with Jamie my eldest son to collect our share. As we arrive, Deans place is littered with trailers and trucks as everyone loads up their share of the bounty. I wish I had my camera as it makes a great picture.
It doesn't take long to load the 58 bales that make up our share and which we will use with our own hay to ensure that optimum nutrition is maintaned through the winter months. I think we all wish we had the time to stay and talk but we are all keen to load up and head off home. Once we get home we unload into our ancient barn and the hay looks and smells just wonderful. A short time later we put some out for the alpacas and they agree. I then drill a dozen bales with the hay probe and mail off the sample for analysis..my nose and hands tell me it will be good but it will be interesting to see the lab results. We will be using the lab results of the hay analysis to help formulate feed pellets and achieve a balanced diet for the alpacas. This is a project Dr Tara Timpson is helping us with, I will keep you posted on our progress.

By Adrian Stewart