a return to business???

finally after a very very long wait, i was able to cut hay this week but now that it is time to bale, the baler wont cooperate, and to top it off, i have 3000+ bales of straw to get done over the weekend to boot. God willing, we will get some second cutting done and straw all before the potential rain this weekend. We did get to cut the timothy patch too so i'll have some of that hay pretty shortly as well. it wasn't quite as pure as i would have liked due to the rain but i definately hafe a high mix going. so remember to get some timothy hay ordered for your rabbits and guinea pigs or other small animals.

I am currently taking straw orders as well and already have 700 bales out of 2000 i had planned to bale. don't hesitate to get a commitment in to me and we'll work out the details. I can take straw with me on the way to work for $4 per bale. i just have a $20 minimum delivery request so let me clean up the mess in my truck and keep your car or suv clean that way.

fourth day of rain

as i sit watching the rain fall for the fourth straight day after we mowed i am beginning to wonder as many of my friends in the hay industry are, will we ever get started good? Went to Effingham to Dittamore Implement and traded for a brand new Agco Tedder rake. Always said we would never need one but after 3 straight years of very difficult seasons, i am rethinking that policy. We weren't even able to unload it before the rain hit, oh well . . .

Talked to another Gentleman from the Peoria area today about the timothy crop coming on and now have 2 rabbit/guinea pig customers on the books for when we cut so that is exciting news.

Looks like about 2-3 weeks and we should have a new crop of straw for your landscaping/mulch needs. Once again, if you are in the decatur area, All i mainly ask for is a $20 minimum order and i'll bring it to your house. I can come to the surrounding areas if need be but please ask for a delivery quote or you can always get a few neighbors together as well to help offset costs.

more next week, hopefully it will be news that i am baling again

wow, what a week

As my dad so aptly pointed out, i haven't updated in awhile. Managed to get some alfalfa hay cut in may for a change, Got approximately 500 bales of very very nice quality first cutting alfalfa put up sunday evening so if anyone needs alfalfa please contact me as i have about 400 left. I can deliver in the central illinois area between the rains for $4 plus a minor delivery fee based on the amount you are wanting. Baled some grass hay tonight but it had some wet spots and got a light shower yesterday. Got the inline baler and new koyker accumulator dialed in.

We added a camera to the baler system to watch the accumulator for plugs, misfeeds, etc and it works really fabulous untill yours truly cut the cable by accident. Figured out we need to reroute the hydraulic and electric lines coming up to the tractor.

keep tuning back in for hopefully more regular updates. Mention the website and receive half price delivery within 30 miles of oakley. we still have 400 bales of alfalfa for $4 available for purchase.

thanks and god bless

timothy hay

we are considering a small baler to make 8 x 11 bales for shipment for rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, etc. Our plans are to put out an acre of timothy this spring and try producing bales that are easy to ship right to your door. I am very interested to hear of anyone in the area that has ideas or thoughts or any input for us as to how to make this a good venture into the rabbit market. I tradtionally put up a very good quality product for horses and have no fears about the rabbit industry but am unsure as to what the proper method is to break into the rabbit market with timothy and prairie grass hay. Feel free to contact me with any thoughts or ideas concerning the rabbit hay market for central illinois

facebook and networking

I know that this will come as no surprise to alot of people but i hadn't realized just how big facebook was till this weekend at a illinois farm bureau young leaders conference that i and my wife go to every year about this time. I was talked into starting a facebook page for the farm so you can follow our progress through the year and become our fan. I truly want to see how many people i can reach and prove to people in our community that facebook and my website are not just fads and that we can use them as effective and very powerful tools. Follow us on facebook and watch the fun!

you can search for my wife, Jessica Miller Clarkson, myself, Andrew Clarkson, or the farm at Clarkson Farms. As soon as i figure out how to post the link to facebook i will do so

january snows

well, after snow, cold, snow, cold and more cold, If you still don't have straw or need a few more bales, let me know and I can work out either letting you pick it up or we can deliver in decatur. The price is $4 per bale delivered in the metropolitan decatur area and I only ask for a $20 minimum order to help defray the gas a little.

I still have grass hay available for sale as well. It is late season but is clean and dry and smells wonderful still. Email or call with your needs and we'll set you up quick. I can deliver if need be to make it easier for you. Thanks for looking and don't hesitate to contact us for your needs now and in the future.

straw for sale, new products

We got busy and have almost 400 bales of good bright straw in the barn for your upcoming weenie roasts and fall needs. I can deliver straw to your weenie roast and pick it up again if you don't want to keep it. See me for your straw rental needs and contact me for your special rental or delivery rates. I live on the east side of decatur near oakley and work in harristown so I can bring your straw to almost anywhere you like in the area around decatur. I just ask for a $20 minimum order.

We also are an MDS manufacturing dealer now so Be sure to check out their website at www.mdsmfg.com and email or call me for a quote on your skid loader, telehandler or otherwise bucket needs and we will be happy to help you out