Low Acreage Haying

Murray54 · Nov 2, 2014

powerscol said:
Someone mentioned that us hobby farmers crack them up with our 25K tractors, etc. Well mine only cost 18K but I got it to plow snow in the winter and do clean up chores on the horse paddock. It was not until my custom baler quit doing my place that I got interested. The hay I cut feds my horses for the year.

You guys all sound just like me. It could be a business, but would be better described as a hobby out of control. I freely admit my addiction!

Just brought home a 'new to me' haybine this morning. Sucks that I won't get to try it out until next July. After 10 years of reinvesting my 'profits', I am finally getting to the point of having a pretty reliable line of haying equipment. Planning to do 120 - 160 acres next year, x2 cuts. I'm afraid I might have to pay income tax!

M.

kevwildman · Nov 5, 2014

good advice

powerscol · Nov 14, 2014

Murry54 - you just made my evening - good luck. I too have re-invested my profit and then some. I just bought a new 23' PJ GN deck over to haul my equipment and hay and a small hay grapple from Kuhn's to save my back. Next upgrade will be a tedder and possibly a drum mower, along with a lift cylinder for the sickle mower. It is amazing how much at peace I am when baling.

AKfish · Nov 25, 2014

Some good info here about equip that has worked out well for us "low output" operators! And some thoughtful, "sideways logic" for spending money, sweat and backaches that might be better put to use with a more rational enterprise...

Oh we'll, my justification is pretty simple-minded. Ain't puttin' anybody out - my kids are up and doin' well, my wife has most of what she needs (wants is another thing) and I ain't spending money on Harleys and boats or Corvettes, etc., etc. So, what the heck. Kids or grandkids can sell everything when I'm gone or maybe.. Just maybe they'll like all the elements of making hay that I enjoy to my core.

I don't mind paying for the privilege - 'cause I am!

AKfish

Murray54 · Nov 26, 2014

Can't cost any more than a cocaine habit, can it?

mkreitler · Nov 26, 2014

You will defiantly like the HAYBINE over a sickle mower,hope it is a least a 9ft.cut or more I have found that the bigger ones cut better and you can cover more ground in the same time. If it is a NH you didn't go wrong. Good luck and HAPPY HAYING!!