Sometimes, ideas that revolutionise entire industries emerge from unexpected places, like a taco restaurant in Cedar City, Utah. In the 1990s, hay farmer and producer Dave Staheli noticed something that would forever change the course of agriculture. With the vision of a pioneer and the determination of an innovator, Staheli redefined the rules of hay production. Today, that same mindset has led him to integrate Arcusin’s MultiPack E14 bale packer into his daily operations. Want to know how these stories are connected?

THE CHALLENGE: BREAKING WEATHER DEPENDENCY IN HAY BALING

Until recently, farmers relied on specific weather conditions to successfully bale hay. It was essential for hay to retain an optimal level of moisture to prevent it from becoming overly dry, brittle, and losing its leaves, which directly impacted its nutritional value. Natural dew, typically appearing at dawn or dusk, provided ideal conditions for baling. However, during dry seasons when dew was scarce, farmers faced serious difficulties.

It was during one such dry and scorching summer in Utah that Dave Staheli decided it was time to break free from this dependency. Inspired by the simple act of steaming tortillas in a local taco restaurant, Dave had a brilliant idea: why not apply steam to hay to restore the moisture needed for baling?

THE SOLUTION: THE INVENTION OF THE DEWPOINT

What began as a casual observation turned into a true revolution. After numerous experiments and years of refinement, Dave Staheli developed the DewPoint machines, which apply steam to hay during the baling process. These machines, attached to a tractor and working alongside a baler, allowed farmers to break free from the constraints of weather.

Today, Staheli West, the company founded by Dave, is a leading name in the United States, and its machines are true “game changers” for the hay industry.

THE ENCOUNTER WITH ARCUSIN: THE MULTIPACK E14

The ability to innovate and transform is something Dave Staheli shares with Arcusin. It’s no surprise, then, that he has become a passionate admirer of our MultiPack E14. This bale packer, designed to work with both two- and three-string bales, has significantly expanded distribution possibilities for Staheli West.

“I love the simplicity of the machine and how easy it is to operate,” explains Dave. “But for me, the key feature is its ability to work with two-string bales and then switch to three-string bales. The MultiPack has truly opened up new possibilities to get our hay to places we couldn’t reach before,” he adds, satisfied and full of admiration for Arcusin.

A SHARED VISION

Beyond the machines, Dave Staheli highlights the parallels between Staheli West and Arcusin: two companies born from the field, dedicated to solving the daily challenges faced by farmers. “The most important advances always come from companies like ours,” Dave notes. “Innovations start with someone who’s really out in the field.”

This shared spirit between Staheli and Arcusin reinforces the importance of collaboration in the search for practical and sustainable solutions for modern agriculture.

If you want to learn more about Dave Staheli and his thoughts on Arcusin’s MultiPack E14 bale packer, don’t miss his video testimonial.