It was a BUSY weekend down at the ranch. The family picked up, drove home, and then unloaded 200 bales of hay. That’s 5 tons of hay that had to be moved by hand from the truck into storage in the hay stall and lower barn.

Mom estimates we go through a bale of hay every day, between the 2 horses and the 12 alpacas. We feed two varieties: smooth brome and an orchard grass/alfalfa mix. Because it’s been so hot, this mix has more alfalfa than usual. Alfalfa has a deeper root system than the grass, so it’s survived better this year. We’re hoping for a third cutting (or harvest) later this summer, if the weather cooperates. Otherwise, the alpacas will have to eat the brome, which is normally just for the horses.