10/12/2025
By the spacing on the bales in the fields Iceland must have a very high hay yield. Maybe because of their long growing season. But their fields are baled as green silage because it has to much humidity for hay to dry properly. They talked about putting the sheep up in sheds in the winter months but sure never saw any big sheep sheds The have this neat program different baling material for different charities. LOL I looked the whole time for a pink one but I guess that was a few years ago
Iceland’s hay production is really interesting because it’s so different from what we see in continental climates. A few things stand out from what you observed:
1. High yield but unique climate constraints – Iceland’s long summer days give plants lots of sunlight, so grasses can grow fast and tall. That can make yields per acre look impressive. But the cool, often wet weather means hay doesn’t dry well in the field, so they tend to make silage—hence the green-wrapped bales everywhere.
2. Sheep management – You’re right, most sheep aren’t outside all winter. Traditionally, Icelandic sheep spend the winter grazing outdoors with minimal shelter, but in harsher areas or modern farms, small sheds or windbreaks may be used. Big enclosed sheep barns aren’t really a thing there, especially compared to other northern countries.
3. Charity bale colors – Iceland’s color-coded bale program is such a quirky and fun system! Different colors are for different charities, and green is super common because of silage. Pink bales did appear in some past campaigns, so it makes sense you missed them—they’re rarer now.
It’s a neat mix of practicality and community spirit. If you want, I can make a quick visual “Icelandic hay map” showing typical bale colors and what charities they’re tied to—it’s actually kind of charming.
Wouldn’t it be fun to see Pink bales in Montana’s fields benefit womens breast cancer.
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