Looking for n opinion on haying

[jerry shannon]

Would like to hear opinions on whether it is worth my time to do my own hay on my 20 acre hay field. I have a good tractor, Oliver 1855 Diesel with 98 hp at the pto. I have a bobcat 78hp skidsteer with a round bale spear. That is all i have. I had a farmer that was doing my field and this year he is moving on and not going to do my field. He just reseeded it this spring and the first cutting was 90% stalky weeds. The second cutting is coming in looking much better with allot grass. I have 5 horses that need roughly 600 to 700 bales per year.
Should I invest in the used equipment to mow, ted, rake and bale or see if I can have someone do it for us?

 

[Ed of all trades]

It depends on a lot of things. Do you have time, would it be a BIG chore or a fun thing to do? I figure you could do it but it will take a number of years to break even, but if you could sell some it would help. You would likely get some better hay doing it yourself and that would help too. For me, am old farmer 20 ac would be fun. My big thing is this something you want to do?

 

[mikehaugen]

After the 700 bales was there leftover to sell? If I had the land, I think it would be fun, but like anything it may become a chore after a few years.

 

[jerry shannon]

The farmer had a good deal. We leased him the field for $1.00 per year. He could do anything he could plant anything he wanted and in return, he supplied us with the 700 bales of grass hay for our horses. He made out for several years. Corn one year netted him about $12,000 and soy beans a little more. We felt he had about $2,500.00 in hay we got. This Spring he decided to plant hay in our field. We told him we wanted first cutting and he could have second and third of there was one. He agreed and then decided that he did not want to mess with it. Never told us why. If I use 700 bales then I would sell the rest to other horse folks that we know.

 

[mikehaugen]

Well then maybe that's your answer... plant corn and buy the hay. Never done either, but corn seems like less work... maybe a little riskier though.

If not then I am sure you can find someone else to take what seems to me like a great deal.

 

[jimgerken]

As said, if you enjoy doing it, it will be worthwhile. If you hate it, you will have to sell the equipment again. Its worth a try if you have the time.
Another variation would be to put an ad in the paper offering to share crop it. If someone cut and baled it, you get half the hay bales. If you get more than you need, sell the rest. No investment, not much time but to bring in your bales, and probably some profit.
The 1855 is pretty solid. The 1955 however has a reputation for exploding at about 2500 hours, unless it has been gone thru already. I always really liked our1955 until it was rebuilt, then it felt like a timebomb. Dad always put it on the sileage blower and ran it WFO.

 

[jerry shannon]

You may be right.

 

[jerry shannon]

I really like my Oliver. It runs as good as it sounds and has plenty of power. I love working outside but have never done hay or any crops before. I am NOT a farmer. City guy that lives in the country. Ran heavy equipment in construction so I am comfortable with that piece and am handy with the wrenches. I have a full time job and not allot of time. I would be doing it for the satisfaction first and to control my own destiny for our horses. And second for any money I can make with maybe a couple of thousand bales of hay at $4.00 per bale. Based on 3 cuttings that is. I live in south eastern Michigan.

 

[hawkeye08]

If you decide you want to do your own haying, then ask yourself the question, can I buy good used equipment and keep it maintained or will I need to pay someone to keep it running? I doubt there is a way to buy newer equipment and have it make sense for that small of acreage.

 

[Lou66]

I would get someone else to bail it and take half of the hay.. I do about 60 acres of my land myself, round bales.. it cost a lot to get set up.. the only other thing I would mention.. if you are going on the half always take half of every cutting because the second cutting.. it will always be the best in most cases.. Lou