Baling hay the old-fashioned way

By Joan Janzen

CLAYDON—This photo is sure to bring back memories for anyone who remembers baling hay the old-fashioned way in Saskatchewan. It was hard work as farmers made hay while the sun shone. This particular photo was taken in the Claydon area of southwest Saskatchewan in the 1960s; however, similar operations were happening throughout the Prairies.

Baling operations in the 1960s, like this one near Claydon in southwest Saskatchewan, were common throughout the Prairies. Haying was often a family effort, with everyone pitching in during the busy season. PHOTO COURTESY OF HISTORIC SASKATCHEWAN.

Apparently, the Cockshutt 30, 40 and 50 models were often used for baling hay because they were equipped with a live power takeoff, which many other tractors of that era did not have. They also featured a low first gear of 1.5 miles per hour, which was helpful when baling a heavy swath.

Baling was a family affair, with all the kids involved, both boys and girls. Hay bales were often referred to as prairie wool, and slough haying came with plenty of mosquitoes and dust.

After the bales were formed, the work continued as they were often stored in the barn loft, which involved plenty of manual labour.

The size of the equipment certainly did not limit production. Some farmers put up around 10,000 bales each year, most of which were sold, with the remainder hauled into the farmyard.