18th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Travel
Vasyl prepares "otava"

Vasyl (61) does a very important job for his farm. Vasyl prepares "otava" - the highest class of hay for cattle. Calves coarse very well from "otava". To haymaking by hand which normally takes a day or two fine weather, but to make "otava" takes 5 days. The first-day fresh grass should be turning, then stacked on a mound, then decomposed and dried, on the 4th day stacked on a "stropak" - a pine stick with short branches buried in the ground, on the 5th day make out from the "stropak" and to the barn. The Carpathians have quality hay, which normally takes there is enough hay and water for the cow. The hay remains green and has an incredible aroma.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 08.2020
Date Uploaded: 11.2020
Photo Location: Volosyanka, Ukraine
Camera: NIKON D800
Copyright: © Artur Abramiv