Near Intersection of I-35 & I-90 Southern Mn. | I can just barely remember a straw pile since Dad had switched over to a pull type Case combine (A6?) as I was becoming aware of things.
Seeing the straw pile reminded my of what Dad used to do.
When Dad still threshed, the threshing machine was set up in the cow yard so the straw pile would be there. He built a wooden frame to blow the straw up on as it came out of the threshing machine. The straw pile then became a temporary building during the winter months.
Dad would use the straw for bedding in the barn but also put sows inside during the winter. They would give birth inside the straw pile. He claimed this produced some of the best survival rates that he had experienced. He would carry water in pails to the sows and said that often the area was frozen over and he had to bust in. Once inside he would often find a nice healthy litter of pigs sucking away. He said it was warmer and more draft free than being in the house.
Later edit: I noticed the post below which is apparently the same scheme that Dad used.
Edited by tedbear 11/25/2014 08:58
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Old farming Pics
