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Not all hay is created equal–especially when you’re feeding cattle. Unlike horses, cows can tolerate coarser hay, but they still need properly timed, nutritious forage to support health and production. Whether you’re raising beef or dairy cattle, knowing when to cut and what tools to use is key to making hay that’s both palatable and cost-effective. When to Cut: The Boot Stage Advantage For cattle, hay should ideally be cut during the boot stage–just before …

At Tractor Tools Direct, our Ibex Belt Rake has quickly become one of our top-selling products. Interestingly, it's also one that many customers haven’t heard of—until they find it on our website. So in this month’s blog, we’re diving into the question: What is a belt rake, and why is it such a great choice for small farms? What Is a Belt Rake? While belt rakes have been widely used in Europe for years, they’re gaining popularity here in the U.S.&mdas …

On many small farms, waterways, buffer strips, and other marginal areas are often overlooked. They may be too narrow or damp for row crops. But with the right approach these spaces can produce surprisingly nutrient-rich hay–especially valuable for cattle. With proper timing and compact equipment from Tractor Tools Direct, turning these areas into productive forage zones is both smart and sustainable. Why Waterway Hay is Worth the Effort Hay grown in waterways tends to be hig …

We know you can purchase equipment elsewhere, but at Tractor Tools Direct, we’ve built our business around one core principle: 100% customer satisfaction. Not every company can say this! This commitment drives every decision we make—from the products we offer to the support we provide. That’s why when it comes to balers, we stand behind them completely. If they didn’t live up to our standards, we wouldn’t be selling them. Period. When you purchase a baler …

For horse owners, few things are more important than quality hay. Horses are picky eaters with sensitive digestive systems, and poor-quality forage can lead to health issues, wasted feed, and high replacement costs. If you have the land and equipment, making your own hay can be a smart and rewarding way to ensure consistent, high-quality nutrition for your animals. But it’s not just about cutting grass—it’s about knowing what horses need and using the appropriate tools to g …