Introducing Haymasters

Haymasters poster for 2024 designed by Saltwood Studio.

Get ready for the exciting Haymasters 2024, a traditional haymaking competition that will take place in Mid-Devon over the weekend of the 13th of July. This year, the competition will be held at Mill Barton. Teams of three or four members, led by one captain each, will compete in a test of skill and teamwork. The competition is open to amateurs only, and no professionals are allowed.

Participants will be assigned specific times for hay management, with the final scheduled for 2 pm on Sunday. As part of the event, participants and visitors will have the opportunity to take guided tours of the beautiful meadows and farm. Additionally, experienced scythers will provide valuable tutorials.

The judges for the competition are Dan Gibson and Caroline Lowes.

Get ready for a weekend filled with fun, friendly competition, camping and appreciation for the art of traditional haymaking!

A short history of haymaking

Since the ancient Neolithic era, spanning roughly 8,000 to 6,000 years ago, people have been selectively clearing trees from age-old forests. These once densely wooded areas were gently grazed by domesticated animals, allowing a variety of plants to thrive, some of which are still found in the lush hay meadows of today.

By the time of the Norman conquest in 1066, hay meadows had become a common sight, with the Domesday Book documenting their presence in eight out of every ten settlements. In medieval times, livestock would be led 'up the hill' during the summer to graze upon communal 'shieling grounds', while in the winter, they would be nourished with hay harvested during the summer from communal meadows encircling the village.

Haymaking, Lambrook Street, Glastonbury, c.1914.

The 1950s saw a significant shift in farming practices, resulting in a marked decline in the prevalence of hay meadows and the delicate ecological balance they sustain. The quest to increase agricultural productivity led to the introduction of chemical fertilisers and robust ryegrasses, which outcompeted native grasses and wildflowers, causing a further decline in biodiversity.

Haymaking by George Stubbs, c.1785.

Species-rich hay meadows

The traditional hay meadows of the UK are invaluable treasures that are regrettably disappearing from the landscape. Bursting with a diverse array of plant species including the vibrant yellow rattle, colorful knapweed, and fragrant sweet vernal grass, these meadows are crucial habitats for a wide variety of wildlife, from buzzing insects to melodious birds. Additionally, they serve as an essential winter feed source for sheep and cattle.

However, these meadows are not untouched by human hands. They thrive on relatively nutrient-poor land that has avoided intensive management such as ploughing, re-seeding, and chemical fertilisation. Restoring land to a species-rich meadow is a lengthy process. Due to this natural ecosystem, traditional species-rich hay meadows generally yield less hay compared to intensively managed fields.

Species-rich wildflower meadow, Dartmoor, c.2024.

In the past, the art of haymaking was a communal undertaking, with farms bustling with staff during the farming year. However, with many farms being operated by a single farmer and their family, often alongside other jobs, committing to haymaking has become quite a challenge, especially considering the unpredictable British summers.

To produce high-quality hay, a period of favourable weather is essential as it allows the ground to dry out and become capable of supporting the heavy machinery required for the process. The intricate process begins with the mowing of the grass, followed by turning it over multiple times to facilitate thorough drying. This turning action also serves to enable the flower seeds to disperse and encourages the growth of the grass species for the following year.

Next, the grass is rowed up into lines for baling. Hay can be made into traditional small bales or large ones. After baling, the hay must be left outside to cool down to avoid the risk of it catching fire. It is then stored indoors until it is needed in the winter months, hence the need for a good run of weather.

Our weather is usually unpredictable, and we often don't get good enough weather to make hay. In such cases, silage is made instead, as it requires less drying time and can be wrapped up to preserve the grass.

Once the bales are collected, livestock are allowed into the fields to graze on the unmown areas. The livestock also helps to spread the wildflower seeds from the hay crop by treading on the fields, leading to germination in the following years, which maintains the "richness" of the meadow.