The vast pastures of Tekes County in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, one of China's major livestock production bases, are seeing a bumper hay harvest this summer, securing essential winter feed supply for the local livestock.
Currently, a coordinated fleet of mowers, rakes, and balers is crisscrossing the more than 20,000 hectares of natural pasturelands in Tekes, as the country has long replaced traditional scythes with modern, highly efficient machines for the annual harvest.
The harvest is key to ensuring the well-being of livestock through the harsh winter months and supporting the livelihoods of herder communities in the county.
For local herders, this year's harvest has been particularly rewarding.
"I have harvested over 100 mu (about 6.7 hectares) of pastureland and more than 1,000 bales of hay this year. The hay will serve as the winter feed for our livestock. Every process is mechanized now, which has made our herders' lives so much easier," said a local herder.
Located in the south of the Ili River Valley, Tekes County is one of the valley's key pastoral bases, with natural mowing grounds spanning over 20,000 hectares.
To ensure the hay is harvested at the optimal time for both yield and nutritional value, local authorities have deployed more than 200 sets of machines and implemented a zone-based harvesting strategy, starting from lower-altitude pastures and gradually moving to higher elevations.
In recent years, Tekes County has steadily improved its grassland ecology through a series of conservation measures. The county has carried out initiatives such as pastureland rehabilitation, seasonal grazing, and forage-livestock balance management. These efforts have significantly boosted the sustainable use of pasturelands and contributed to the recovery of the local grassland ecosystem.
Hay harvesting in most parts of Xinjiang is expected to be largely completed by the end of August, while work in high-altitude mountain pastures will continue into early September.
Xinjiang pastures yield bumper hay harvest as herders prepare for winter
