Salvador Berberia's first experience harvesting hay was on his family's farm near Layton when he was in grammar school.</p><p>Back then, hay "swathers" didn't have cabs to keep the operator out of the dust, hydraulics to raise and lower the cutter head, or big horse-powered engines to push the machine back and forth through the field.</p><p>In fact when he started harvesting hay, power was measured by counting the number of horses harnessed to the swather.</p><p>Draft animals have long since vanished from farm fields, but Berberia hasn't. At 90 years old he is still harvesting hay from fields near Los Ba&#241;os and Dos Palos.</p><p>"I hired him in 1987 when he was 69 years old," said David Santos, who at the time owned a custom harvesting business with his brother Anthony. "He's worn out three swathers since then and has more than 8,000 hours on the one he's driving now."</p><p>The machines are usually replaced after about 10,000 hours of service.</p><p>David Santos said Berberia works seven days a week, 12 hours a day during the harvest season, which normally begins in late March and lasts through October.</p><p>In addition to driving the machine, Berberia also services it, and installs new knives, blades and guards when needed.</p><p>"I enjoy every bit of it," he said. "Driving swather is like I'm sitting in heaven, there's not too much work to it."</p><p>Born in Hanford March 26, 1918, Berberia has been employed in agriculture his entire life. He once owned and operated a dairy in Layton, was a herdsman on a cattle ranch near Fallon, Nev. for many years, and hired on to feed cows in Layton before moving to Los Ba&#241;os to swath hay.</p><p>"I got out of the dairy business when they switched from (shipping milk in) 10-gallon cans to tanks," he said.</p><p>Berberia said he and his wife, Vera, have been married 66 years. They have twin daughters, five grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren.</p><p>Usually working another swather in the same field with Berberia is Ernie Arambel, a native and life-long resident of Los Ba&#241;os. Formerly in the sheep business, Arambel has been employed at Anthony Santos Custom Hay for 14 years. He will be 71 years old this month.</p><p>The Berberia-Arambel team hasn't let age slow it down and cuts about 3,500 acres of hay each month.</p><p>"There are three other swather guys who work for me," said Anthony Santos. "One is 85, one is 67 and the youngest is 53."</p><p>Berberia said he doesn't drive a car anymore. Arambel gives him a ride to and from work.</p><p>"They have never been late for work and are as reliable as can be," said Anthony Santos. "They're good. I have no complaints, that's for sure."</p><p>Berberia said he hasn't considered retirement and plans to keep working for Santos hay as long as he is in good health.</p><p>"It keeps me busy and it's entertainment for me," he said. "I get bored in the winter."