Hay production depends on the weather. The hay must dry completely to avoid molding. Silage, however, is immediately rolled or packed where it ferments. It's like making sauerkraut.
Tiiu Hellerma, chairwoman of the Läänemaa Farmers' Union board, says the situation in Läänemaa is better compared to other counties. There has been just enough rain here. There hasn't been much weather for haymaking, but the hay mass is good.
In Saaremaa, the dry period before the rainy season has affected both hay and silage harvesting. Jaan Kiider, chairman of the Saaremaa Farmers' Union board, says that compared to Southeast Estonia, they live on another continent. Due to worse weather, the yield is poorer compared to last year. A farmer depends greatly on the weather.
Silage has become more popular than hay because it takes less time to make. With silage, you can work faster, covering one side in two days. With hay, you need at least five days of dry weather. Silage involves fewer risks.
Kaupo Kutsar, executive director of the Valgamaa Farmers' Union, says there's no reason to complain about the hay yield. Half of the annual silage target has been met. Problems arise when trying to collect the harvest. Some fields can't be accessed due to rain, creating ruts. If fields have standing water, they can't even be mowed. In rainy weather, the entire hay harvest can go to waste.
According to meteorologists, no prolonged warm period is expected in the near future. However, some warmer days are coming.