What is it worth to mow and rake?

[tom4018]

Neighbor has told his son in law and me can have about 40 acres of hay and he wants nothing from it. This has been fertilized good in the past but not this year. It is about 15 miles away, son in law said he would haul my tractor and mower over there, I would mow it, then rake with my tractor but his rake since it is a little larger than mine. What is a fair deal on splitting the hay? He made a offer on it but I feel he wants too much just to bale it.

 

[duke7595]

Standard is 50/50

 

[tom4018]

Standard is 50/50

That is what I thought but he wants 2/3 to bale and a 1/3 for me.

 

[DT86]

That is what I thought but he wants 2/3 to bale and a 1/3 for me.

If You did all the work and the land owner wanted 1/3 that would be one thing.

But you doing half the work and the guy wanting 2/3 just to bale it is ridiculous. Sure running a baler is expensive but running a mower or rake isn't exactly free.

I would stay away from that deal.

 

[Ted Summey]

Fuel for mowing and raking compared to baling is a wash. If you both are doing equal work otherwise, 50/50 is fair.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

I agree with the others, mowing isn't cheap. Equipment wise the tractors are generally the most expensive item followed by the baler, cutter and then the rake and tedder. If he wants that much of the hay then tell him he can have it all and just pay you to mow and rake it $30 an acre. If he doesn't want to pay you then he should be more willing to split the hay evenly or buy his own equipment.

 

[tom4018]

I agree with the others, mowing isn't cheap. Equipment wise the tractors are generally the most expensive item followed by the baler, cutter and then the rake and tedder. If he wants that much of the hay then tell him he can have it all and just pay you to mow and rake it $30 an acre. If he doesn't want to pay you then he should be more willing to split the hay evenly or buy his own equipment.

He has his own stuff, his father in law is a good neighbor and knew I needed extra hay. He was trying to help both of us out and get it mowed off since he is down with knee problems. His brother was just going to bush hog it down. He told his son in law that me and him could have it and to work out a deal. I think he wants it all himself. He told me he normally gets a 1/3 for baling not sure why he wants 2/3 on this deal. Guess it is hard to do business with friends. I cut some for him last year when he had tractor and mower problems close by the farm, got a third last year just for cutting. I mentioned that to him and he just played it off.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

around my area it is easy to find hay fields. Some people want money for the hay while others are happy to have someone maintain their fields for free. I am constantly turning fields away here because I just simply can't handle any more acres. So if you need extra hay ground you can post an ad on craigslist and hopefully find someone close by or just tell your friend a 50/50 split is the only way this deal will work for you since that is how you see it as being fair. Good luck to you.

 

[tom4018]

around my area it is easy to find hay fields. Some people want money for the hay while others are happy to have someone maintain their fields for free. I am constantly turning fields away here because I just simply can't handle any more acres. So if you need extra hay ground you can post an ad on craigslist and hopefully find someone close by or just tell your friend a 50/50 split is the only way this deal will work for you since that is how you see it as being fair. Good luck to you.

Nothing free around here, crop farmers are taking up about anything that can be cropped. People paying $150 + an acre for some marginal ground.

 

[PRF]

Sounds to me like the son in law is trying to take advantage of your predicament, as far as needing more hay.. I'm with the 50/50 folks..