slåttertider

Slåttertider is a term used in Nordic farming to describe the seasonal window for haymaking. In Norwegian and Swedish contexts, it denotes the period when fields are cut, dried, and stored as hay or silage. The timing depends on weather, daylight, and pasture growth and typically falls in late spring to midsummer.

Etymology and history: The word combines slåtter (mowing) and tider (times). Before mechanization, communities relied on scythes, horses, and cooperative labor to harvest grasses and dry the crop with suitable weather. The length and timing of slåttertider varied with climate and field conditions.

Practice: The sequence usually began with mowing, followed by turning and raking to improve drying, and concluded with gathering into sheaves or storing bales. Drying requires dry, sunny weather and sufficient air circulation to reach safe moisture levels.

Modern relevance: Today mechanization has shortened or altered the window, yet the concept remains in farm calendars as a planning frame. Wet springs or rain can cut into slåttertider and affect hay quality and yields.

Cultural aspects: Slåttertider have historical and cultural resonance in rural communities, reflected in local dialects, folklore, and regional traditions around the harvest season.