agproud.com is the digital home of Progressive Dairy, Progressive Cattle, Progressive Forage and Ag Proud Idaho magazines. We offer content for dairy farmers, cattle ranchers and hay and forage growers in the U.S. and Canada. Subscribe to podcasts, newsletters or magazines offered on dairy, beef, and forage at agproud.com https://www.agproud.com/rss/articles A hay‑scouting trip in the early ’70s becomes a snapshot in time, complete with a ’66 Ford, new country and one unexpected rock in the trunk. A hay‑scouting trip in the early ’70s becomes a snapshot in time, complete with a ’66 Ford, new country and one unexpected rock in the trunk.

]]> Tue, 26 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/8-tales-of-a-hay-hauler/post/63410-tales-of-a-hay-hauler-the-gift-rock-and-crunchy-hay http://www.agproud.com/blogs/8/post/63410 A retired concrete mixer with a stretched snout and diamond‑plate fenders became one of Idaho’s most unconventional hay trucks. A retired concrete mixer with a stretched snout and diamond‑plate fenders became one of Idaho’s most unconventional hay trucks.

]]> Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/8-tales-of-a-hay-hauler/post/63259-tales-of-a-hay-hauler-boneyard-treasure http://www.agproud.com/blogs/8/post/63259 A hay truck Anchor‑Loc seat once set the bar for comfort, and I’ve been chasing that perfect ride ever since. A hay truck Anchor‑Loc seat once set the bar for comfort, and I’ve been chasing that perfect ride ever since.

]]> Wed, 25 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/8-tales-of-a-hay-hauler/post/63091-tales-of-a-hay-hauler-even-a-short-nap-is-a-good-nap http://www.agproud.com/blogs/8/post/63091 This is a story of a dairy farmer running on little sleep, a WD‑45 tractor and one unforgettable detour through a sugarbeet field. See what happens when the dew is perfect, the clock is unforgiving and fatigue finally wins. This is a story of a dairy farmer running on little sleep, a WD‑45 tractor and one unforgettable detour through a sugarbeet field. See what happens when the dew is perfect, the clock is unforgiving and fatigue finally wins.

]]> Tue, 24 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/8-tales-of-a-hay-hauler/post/62882-tales-of-a-hay-hauler-the-adrenaline-burst http://www.agproud.com/blogs/8/post/62882 A routine hay‑hauling day near Mountain Home, Idaho, went sideways when one stubborn lug nut turned a flat tire into a painful and impromptu physics experiment. A routine hay‑hauling day near Mountain Home, Idaho, went sideways when one stubborn lug nut turned a flat tire into a painful and impromptu physics experiment.

]]> Thu, 22 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/8-tales-of-a-hay-hauler/post/62729-tales-of-a-hay-hauler-available-emergency-room http://www.agproud.com/blogs/8/post/62729 With 650 hay bales to load, Leo Ritthauler relied on remote isolation and a hired hand to keep the operation moving. With 650 hay bales to load, Leo Ritthauler relied on remote isolation and a hired hand to keep the operation moving.

]]> Fri, 26 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/8-tales-of-a-hay-hauler/post/62585-tales-of-a-hay-hauler-little-parts-and-big-problems http://www.agproud.com/blogs/8/post/62585 Even before the ink dried on his driver’s license, Dean was restoring life into unwanted machines. Even before the ink dried on his driver’s license, Dean was restoring life into unwanted machines.

]]> Wed, 26 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/8-tales-of-a-hay-hauler/post/62434-tales-of-a-hay-hauler-dean-callahans-green-dragon http://www.agproud.com/blogs/8/post/62434 The driveway became our culinary kitchen, far from anything flammable. What could possibly go wrong? The driveway became our culinary kitchen, far from anything flammable. What could possibly go wrong?

]]> Wed, 22 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/8-tales-of-a-hay-hauler/post/62274-tales-of-a-hay-hauler-a-tale-of-turkeys http://www.agproud.com/blogs/8/post/62274 Before the service truck arrives, there’s the kind of troubleshooting that happens between rigs, between drivers and between those who still believe in lending a hand. Before the service truck arrives, there’s the kind of troubleshooting that happens between rigs, between drivers and between those who still believe in lending a hand.

]]> Mon, 22 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/8-tales-of-a-hay-hauler/post/62126-tales-of-a-hay-hauler-for-the-lack-of-a-screwdriver http://www.agproud.com/blogs/8/post/62126 Long before digital dashboards, drivers relied on red lines, the sound of the engine, gut instinct and the guidance of borrowed wisdom to treat a machine right. Long before digital dashboards, drivers relied on red lines, the sound of the engine, gut instinct and the guidance of borrowed wisdom to treat a machine right.

]]> Tue, 26 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/8-tales-of-a-hay-hauler/post/61982-tales-of-a-hay-hauler-the-sweet-spot http://www.agproud.com/blogs/8/post/61982 From appetite to zoomies, aging in 2025 comes with unexpected humor, heartfelt reflections and a hay hauler with a load of honesty. From appetite to zoomies, aging in 2025 comes with unexpected humor, heartfelt reflections and a hay hauler with a load of honesty.

]]> Mon, 28 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/8-tales-of-a-hay-hauler/post/61805-tales-of-a-hay-hauler-the-alphabet-of-aging-2025 http://www.agproud.com/blogs/8/post/61805 The story tells of a man who survived the Johnstown flood and aced an exam. He tells St. Peter about his intellect, who became the chief of the New Testament Apostles. St. Peter also killed Judas' betrayal with his own sword. The story tells of a man who survived the Johnstown flood and aced an exam. He tells St. Peter about his intellect, who became the chief of the New Testament Apostles. St. Peter also killed Judas' betrayal with his own sword.

]]> Wed, 25 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/8-tales-of-a-hay-hauler/post/61647-tales-of-a-hay-hauler-to-be-a-survivor http://www.agproud.com/blogs/8/post/61647 There are numerous averages pertaining to life but no guarantees. There are numerous averages pertaining to life but no guarantees.

]]> Thu, 29 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/8-tales-of-a-hay-hauler/post/61511-tales-of-a-hay-hauler-for-the-survivors http://www.agproud.com/blogs/8/post/61511 Three of us were able to make it to Florida for the funeral after our brother-in-law, Ray Pivec, had passed away. Our sister had married late, and they had no children. I remember teasing her when she was at college, asking her if she was having trouble finding a boy she liked. Three of us were able to make it to Florida for the funeral after our brother-in-law, Ray Pivec, had passed away. Our sister had married late, and they had no children. I remember teasing her when she was at college, asking her if she was having trouble finding a boy she liked.

]]> Thu, 24 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/8-tales-of-a-hay-hauler/post/61342-tales-of-a-hay-hauler-keys http://www.agproud.com/blogs/8/post/61342 The best nights for sleep were after unloading, being safely parked and with a gentle rain making a nice sleepy-time patter on the roof of the truck. The best nights for sleep were after unloading, being safely parked and with a gentle rain making a nice sleepy-time patter on the roof of the truck.

]]> Thu, 20 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/8-tales-of-a-hay-hauler/post/61210-tales-of-a-hay-hauler-the-fabled-mouse-gun http://www.agproud.com/blogs/8/post/61210 The warranty inspector said that’s all they needed, and that it was impossible to fabricate a record book like that. My little record book saved me about $4,000 that day. The warranty inspector said that’s all they needed, and that it was impossible to fabricate a record book like that. My little record book saved me about $4,000 that day.

]]> Mon, 17 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/8-tales-of-a-hay-hauler/post/60954-tales-of-a-hay-hauler-the-little-record-book-aka-the-ships-log http://www.agproud.com/blogs/8/post/60954 It was 300 miles, roughly, from where I started first grade to where I finished first grade. Dad had bought a farm near Parma, Idaho. The last trip in the 1951 Ford F-6 truck brought the milking portion of the livestock, and we were officially moved. It was 300 miles, roughly, from where I started first grade to where I finished first grade. Dad had bought a farm near Parma, Idaho. The last trip in the 1951 Ford F-6 truck brought the milking portion of the livestock, and we were officially moved.

]]> Wed, 29 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/8-tales-of-a-hay-hauler/post/60921-tales-of-a-hay-hauler-the-parma-years http://www.agproud.com/blogs/8/post/60921 I saw something new to me on the internet the other day. A snowplow. Not just your ordinary snowplow, but a snowplow pulling a full trailer. I saw something new to me on the internet the other day. A snowplow. Not just your ordinary snowplow, but a snowplow pulling a full trailer.

]]> Thu, 19 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/8-tales-of-a-hay-hauler/post/60726-tales-of-a-hay-hauler-when-snow-can-be-sno-fun http://www.agproud.com/blogs/8/post/60726 Peace. Some find it under a blue sky and away from other people. Some find it in places of worship. Some seem to never find it. For me, it involves turning off the radio and just driving. Driving and pondering. Pondering and seeking understanding. Being well aware that all on this planet are mortal men and women, and yet, when that mortality gets right up close and personal in our lives, most find a need for more understanding. Peace. Some find it under a blue sky and away from other people. Some find it in places of worship. Some seem to never find it. For me, it involves turning off the radio and just driving. Driving and pondering. Pondering and seeking understanding. Being well aware that all on this planet are mortal men and women, and yet, when that mortality gets right up close and personal in our lives, most find a need for more understanding.

]]> Thu, 21 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/8-tales-of-a-hay-hauler/post/60625-tales-of-a-hay-hauler-the-gift-of-understanding http://www.agproud.com/blogs/8/post/60625 “Rudolph,” the white truck with the red fiberglass hood, and I were northbound on U.S. Highway 93 between Ely, Nevada, and Twin Falls, Idaho, running bareback, or bobtail, after dropping a pair of van trailers at Kennon’s new hay ranch by Nyala, Nevada. It was quite the move from central Washington state. “Rudolph,” the white truck with the red fiberglass hood, and I were northbound on U.S. Highway 93 between Ely, Nevada, and Twin Falls, Idaho, running bareback, or bobtail, after dropping a pair of van trailers at Kennon’s new hay ranch by Nyala, Nevada. It was quite the move from central Washington state.

]]> Thu, 24 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/8-tales-of-a-hay-hauler/post/60473-tales-of-a-hay-hauler-every-day-a-day-of-thanksgiving http://www.agproud.com/blogs/8/post/60473 It was a Sunday afternoon. I was 10 or 11. I had been playing in the backyard with a neighbor kid. I noticed my face feeling funny and my eyes starting to itch. My friend said I looked funny, so I went inside. My mother asked what in the world I had gotten into to make my face all puffy. I didn’t know. It was a Sunday afternoon. I was 10 or 11. I had been playing in the backyard with a neighbor kid. I noticed my face feeling funny and my eyes starting to itch. My friend said I looked funny, so I went inside. My mother asked what in the world I had gotten into to make my face all puffy. I didn’t know.

]]> Tue, 24 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/8-tales-of-a-hay-hauler/post/60295-tales-of-a-hay-hauler-no-laughing-matter http://www.agproud.com/blogs/8/post/60295 I spent most of one fall, winter and spring hauling hay for a friend – who lived roughly 850 miles away. This was the same guy I helped move down there – about 100 miles due north of the fabled “Area 51.” I spent most of one fall, winter and spring hauling hay for a friend – who lived roughly 850 miles away. This was the same guy I helped move down there – about 100 miles due north of the fabled “Area 51.”

]]> Wed, 28 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/8-tales-of-a-hay-hauler/post/60152-tales-of-a-hay-hauler-medic-mechanic-magician http://www.agproud.com/blogs/8/post/60152 Wes McPherson had a Fu Manchu mustache to die for. Full and just the right bit of dark hair mixed with the gray. A well-worn cowboy-style hat – felt, for all but the hot summer. Wes McPherson had a Fu Manchu mustache to die for. Full and just the right bit of dark hair mixed with the gray. A well-worn cowboy-style hat – felt, for all but the hot summer.

]]> Mon, 29 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/8-tales-of-a-hay-hauler/post/59993-tales-of-a-hay-hauler-respect-can-make-for-safety http://www.agproud.com/blogs/8/post/59993 The most interesting individuals I’ve met have to be those in the hinterlands of cow-calf ranch country. The Bell Brand Ranch had places in southwest Idaho and the main ranch south and west of Jackpot, Nevada – either in the O’Neil Basin or over a ridge from it. The most interesting individuals I’ve met have to be those in the hinterlands of cow-calf ranch country. The Bell Brand Ranch had places in southwest Idaho and the main ranch south and west of Jackpot, Nevada – either in the O’Neil Basin or over a ridge from it.

]]> Thu, 27 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/8-tales-of-a-hay-hauler/post/59794-tales-of-a-hay-hauler-characters http://www.agproud.com/blogs/8/post/59794 I’m sitting here near you wishing you were abed convalescing but still dealing with the medical people saying there was no more they could do for you. I’m sitting here near you wishing you were abed convalescing but still dealing with the medical people saying there was no more they could do for you.

]]> Mon, 20 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/8-tales-of-a-hay-hauler/post/59578-tales-of-a-hay-hauler-pretty-cow http://www.agproud.com/blogs/8/post/59578 Pea soup. I think that’s what the seafaring bunch calls it. So foggy that if anyone had known how bad it would be they would have stayed somewhere warm, dry and safe. At this late date, I don’t remember if we were loaded or empty. Pea soup. I think that’s what the seafaring bunch calls it. So foggy that if anyone had known how bad it would be they would have stayed somewhere warm, dry and safe. At this late date, I don’t remember if we were loaded or empty.

]]> Tue, 30 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/8-tales-of-a-hay-hauler/post/59461-tales-of-a-hay-hauler-by-the-skin-of-their-teeth http://www.agproud.com/blogs/8/post/59461 I discovered the Great Divide Basin the year we delivered a few loads of hay to the Wind River Indian Reservation in Wyoming. I discovered the Great Divide Basin the year we delivered a few loads of hay to the Wind River Indian Reservation in Wyoming.

]]> Tue, 12 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/8-tales-of-a-hay-hauler/post/59266-tales-of-a-hay-hauler-just-tripping-through-life http://www.agproud.com/blogs/8/post/59266 Some time back, traveling with some grandkids along, we had stopped at a rest area. After making use of the facilities and walking off some travel stiffness, I noticed my wife having an animated discussion with the rig that had parked near us. Some time back, traveling with some grandkids along, we had stopped at a rest area. After making use of the facilities and walking off some travel stiffness, I noticed my wife having an animated discussion with the rig that had parked near us.

]]> Wed, 28 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/8-tales-of-a-hay-hauler/post/59145-tales-of-a-hay-hauler-laughter-should-have-its-limits http://www.agproud.com/blogs/8/post/59145 One bright sunshiny afternoon decades ago in southwest Idaho, I observed an incident ahead of me on the I-84 freeway. All lanes were still open, but there was a truck tractor and its two trailers lying on its side near an exit from the road. One bright sunshiny afternoon decades ago in southwest Idaho, I observed an incident ahead of me on the I-84 freeway. All lanes were still open, but there was a truck tractor and its two trailers lying on its side near an exit from the road.

]]> Tue, 23 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/8-tales-of-a-hay-hauler/post/58891-tales-of-a-hay-hauler-upsets http://www.agproud.com/blogs/8/post/58891 ’Twas one of those days that my patience and consideration for most of anything was lacking. I had stopped at the local WinCo supermarket, and the shopping cart on the end of the row refused to come loose. ’Twas one of those days that my patience and consideration for most of anything was lacking. I had stopped at the local WinCo supermarket, and the shopping cart on the end of the row refused to come loose.

]]> Wed, 27 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/8-tales-of-a-hay-hauler/post/58730-tales-of-a-hay-hauler-understanding http://www.agproud.com/blogs/8/post/58730