Wheat harvest is in full swing throughout much of Kansas and, hopefully, you’ve been able to see farmers and farm families hard at work. You might also be seeing large square bales in the fields or stacked up on the edges of fields.
This practice makes the most of the straw left over after the wheat is harvested for grain. The bales in this field in South Central Kansas are 4 feet high by 4 feet wide by 8 feet long and weigh about 2,000 pounds. The main use is for livestock bedding, but researchers are also investigating how to convert the straw into a renewable fuel. Check out this research from Kansas State University.
Handling the large, heavy bales can be challenging, but a Kansas company, Stinger Ltd., manufactures the Stinger Stacker, which is used around the world. Check out their website to learn more about the process for baling, stacking and transporting wheat straw and other crops, including alfalfa.
Farmers always have sustainability in mind, making the most of the crops they produce as they follow good production practices. Thank you, farmers!
Kansas Agri-Women 