Hay Farmers getting out of farming

lman · Mar 4, 2022

It looks like wheat is the thing to grow. Record prices.

sea2summit · Mar 4, 2022

Just got soil tests back and for my good field it’s gonna cost $310/acre for the minimum recommend amendments. That one field will cost more to fertilize than I made all last year. Crazy.

japody · Mar 4, 2022

Anyone priced fertilizer lately? I'm afraid to ask my supplier. I know lime is over $100/ton. We put down 100 tons last time so that will have to wait.

Hay Dude · Mar 5, 2022

japody said:
Anyone priced fertilizer lately? I'm afraid to ask my supplier. I know lime is over $100/ton. We put down 100 tons last time so that will have to wait.

We just cancelled fertilizing a few fields in time before the crazy prices set in.
We used spent mushroom compost and lime. Going to have to find a way through this period.
One of my neighbors farms collects leaves, grinds them up and spreads them on fields. Labor intensive, but an unending supply during the fall and winter.

cat fever · Mar 5, 2022

I'm curious about the old timers selling out and retiring. What are the buyers doing with the land/equipment? My first thought would be farming the land. But maybe not.

As to this thread; I retired then bought 31 acres in Southeast Idaho. I grow hay and I sell everything right out of the field. I do know I'd hate to rely on this for my income. This is more hobby for me because I enjoy doing it. I certainly feel for those who need the income to live.

I hope this year proves to be a better water year than last year. Here's a couple pictures to get you all excited for the coming year.

Rockbadchild · Mar 5, 2022

cat fever said:
I'm curious about the old timers selling out and retiring. What are the buyers doing with the land/equipment? My first thought would be farming the land. But maybe not.

As to this thread; I retired then bought 31 acres in Southeast Idaho. I grow hay and I sell everything right out of the field. I do know I'd hate to rely on this for my income. This is more hobby for me because I enjoy doing it. I certainly feel for those who need the income to live.

I hope this year proves to be a better water year than last year. Here's a couple pictures to get you all excited for the coming year.

From what I have seen its either they put their property and equipment for sale in a bundle but the new buyer cant afford the equipment with the property or they are only interested in the property so they sold the equipment separately and its people who already farm who buy it. Their is exceptions since I not a farmer but I do want to buy equipment to make hay. But folks are buying because I tell ya hay equipment doesn't stay for sale for very long unless its old and beat up.

sea2summit · Mar 5, 2022

japody said:
Anyone priced fertilizer lately? I'm afraid to ask my supplier. I know lime is over $100/ton. We put down 100 tons last time so that will have to wait.

You can’t lime for $100 a ton.

sea2summit · Mar 5, 2022

Hay Dude said:
We just cancelled fertilizing a few fields in time before the crazy prices set in.
We used spent mushroom compost and lime. Going to have to find a way through this period.
One of my neighbors farms collects leaves, grinds them up and spreads them on fields. Labor intensive, but an unending supply during the fall and winter.

But how do you collect the tons of material you’d need? Gonna burn fuel me thinks and that also just broke $5/gal at the local pump

sea2summit · Mar 5, 2022

cat fever said:
I'm curious about the old timers selling out and retiring. What are the buyers doing with the land/equipment? My first thought would be farming the land. But maybe not.

As to this thread; I retired then bought 31 acres in Southeast Idaho. I grow hay and I sell everything right out of the field. I do know I'd hate to rely on this for my income. This is more hobby for me because I enjoy doing it. I certainly feel for those who need the income to live.

I hope this year proves to be a better water year than last year. Here's a couple pictures to get you all excited for the coming year.
View attachment 735969 View attachment 735970 View attachment 735971

Someone bale for you or is that your baby tractor

sea2summit · Mar 5, 2022

rockmalenfant said:
From what I have seen its either they put their property and equipment for sale in a bundle but the new buyer cant afford the equipment with the property or they are only interested in the property so they sold the equipment separately and its people who already farm who buy it. Their is exceptions since I not a farmer but I do want to buy equipment to make hay. But folks are buying because I tell ya hay equipment doesn't stay for sale for very long unless its old and beat up.

Well, I think a lot of it is such bad shape you gotta find a sucker to take it for scrap price when they’re getting out of the business as well.