Driving the back roads of rural Manitoba in late autumn, I came across this vintage hay wagon in active use. It was an ancient model, in the 20-24 foot long range, with no mechanical assistance for loading. This meant a back-breaking day’s work for two farmhands, one to pick the bales, probably with hay hooks, and carry the bale over to the wagon where the second farmhand would stack them. A bale would weigh between 50 and 60 pounds, depending on the moisture content.
There are basically two types of hay: cow hay and horse hay, and they are graded for quality, with cow hay being the less desirable and thus cheaper. These days the price of hay has more than doubled, owing to drought and poor weather for the past several years. What has also increased is the size of bales: a large bale, whether rectangular or round, can weigh as much as 1500 pounds. Modern loading is completely mechanized. Despite the convenience, there are those who speak nostalgically of the satisfaction experienced in authentic field work.
“My first love was, and remains, manual labor; sowing and harvesting, the pastures, the flock, and the cattle.” ~ Ariel Sharon
Location: Rivers, Manitoba
Date: Autumn, 1980
Source: Pentax ME Super with Kodacolor film
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