2013 Hay Season

[farmgirl19]

The pasture behind me baled last night. Just a couple of acres, but looks like a few nice round bales. I'll go by and get them, hopefully in a couple of days. My neighbor has the pasture, and offered me his hay, this year! I am so happy! I'll take another cutting, if he gets it this year! Now all I'll need is about another 100 square bales to fill up my hay barn! The pasture that I get those from looks like it will be cutting in another week or so, depending on the weather.

Not many things make this girl more happy, than having a full hay barn, and some round bales, to boot!

 

[bglz42]

Baled 250 small squares yesterday. More this week... weather is right!

 

[Bigfoot62]

. . . some of us on the other hand have that $100k invested and spray, fertilize and put up a good bale ... When I advertise it I go after the market that demands quality.. Very seldom do I get asked why is your hay more expensive? Return happy customers produce new customers.. I can not put up enough square bales seems like almost every day my phone rings for hay.

I agree. I shoot for quality hay and target that market, but that market diminished during the drought conditions over the past 5 years. Many of my "horse hay" customers got rid of their animals. Summer of 2011, there was hardly any hay in my area. My total production for that year was 26 rolls.

If I had a square baler, there is no doubt that I could sell much more hay, and make more money doing so. I have that in my long range plan, but the baler, accumulator and grapple that I want will cost about $45k. I just can't afford it right now without borrowing more money.

 

[blueriver]

I agree. I shoot for quality hay and target that market, but that market diminished during the drought conditions over the past 5 years. Many of my "horse hay" customers got rid of their animals. Summer of 2011, there was hardly any hay in my area. My total production for that year was 26 rolls.

If I had a square baler, there is no doubt that I could sell much more hay, and make more money doing so. I have that in my long range plan, but the baler, accumulator and grapple that I want will cost about $45k. I just can't afford it right now without borrowing more money.

My JD 336 square baler cost me $1000 added a new tire .. Misc parts and for just under $1500 I'm baling .. The Hay Buddy grapple and accumulator will run you $5190

 

[PMA]

Been trying to cut hay for 2 weeks and the chance of rain won't go away. 40 to 60 percent chance for the 10 day forecast. Sure as heck if I cut it, it will pour down.

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[Bigfoot62]

My JD 336 square baler cost me $1000 added a new tire .. Misc parts and for just under $1500 I'm baling .. The Hay Buddy grapple and accumulator will run you $5190

I know I could probably get by cheaper, but I don't want to buy someone else's trouble. And, I really wanted an accumulator that didn't drag the hay on the ground.
What I want is a new JD 348 and a Steffen Systems Accumulator and Grapple

Anyway, I will have to have an accumulator/grapple system before I do square hay again. I'm too old and fat to do it by hand.

 

[DT86]

Been trying to cut hay for 2 weeks and the chance of rain won't go away. 40 to 60 percent chance for the 10 day forecast. Sure as heck if I cut it, it will pour down.

I know the feeling all too well! I've got about 30 more acres to mow. There is a 30% - 60% chance for afternoon showers the next 7 days, depending on where you get the weather forecast. The weatherman said the other day we are 11" above average this year, if he had said 20" I would believe it!


On a good note a guy that buys hay for his sheep from me called and wants some bush hogging done, about 25 acres worth, maybe I can get that done.

 

[corey9212]

Been trying to cut hay for 2 weeks and the chance of rain won't go away. 40 to 60 percent chance for the 10 day forecast. Sure as heck if I cut it, it will pour down.

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What percentage do you look for (whats the highest percentage before you decide to wait) and for how long of streak?

 

[PMA]

I try not cut hay when the percentage is 40 percent. As for length

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[PMA]

As for as length, give me 3 days to cut and bale.

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