Hay Dude
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Aug 28, 2012
- Messages
- 18,615
- Location
- A Hay Field along the PA/DE border
- Tractor
- Challenger MT655E, Massey Ferguson 7495, Challenger MT535B, Krone 4x4 XC baler, (2) Kubota ZD331’s, 2020 Ram 5500 Cummins 4x4, IH 7500 4x4 dump truck, Kaufman 35’ tandem 19 ton trailer, Deere CX-15, Pottinger Hay mowers
I am full time, mostly farm, some property maintenance and some construction. A typical year would be:I retired from a well paying job with full benefits and a nice retirement at 56 so I don't have any desire to 'create' another full time job for myself. Between running hay and doing heavy fabrication and field welding, I have plenty enough to occupy my time and still have time to go out west hunting regularly.
For me, running hay will stay a hobby. How I like it. No pressure at all. Nice to only have one customer too, one that pays on time, a big plus.
January February March April-deliver hay, construction, snowplowing, land clearing & hay field reclamation.
May June July August September- 350 acres of hay farming/baling and conservancy land mowing.
October November December- deliver hay, fertilize fields, conservancy land mowing.
Of course theres always equipment maintenance ongoing.
With me, it grows closer to 100% farm as the years go by. I really enjoy it. I would like to hang up the tool belt for good after 35 years of it.
However, my profit margins have risen while growing. I haven’t observed the ”profit margins staying the same with growth” that you have. I have found that responsible growth created a lot more profit.