Baler's Share?

[Danner]

I am going to cultivate and plant 5 acres of Bermuda hay this next spring.

As a look for someone to come in to mow and square bale, what is a fair share of the produce?

Also, would it be better if I mowed it?

Thanks.

 

[MotorSeven]

Here it's 2/3's to the baler & 1/3 to the land owner. After splitting the work with my neighbor last year and doing it ourselves I find that very fair...it's a ton of work even if nothing breaks.

 

[charlz]

I don't do shares, I pay. I have about 2 acres in hay, $100 for the cut and $.50 per bale for baling and if you want it picked up and stacked with a stacker is is another $.50/bale. That may help, may not.

 

[smstonypoint]

Terms of crop-share leases are subject to negotiation; e.g., relative shares of variable costs (fertilizer & lime, weed control, etc.)

You could check with local farmers, landlords, and an ag. agent at your local Cooperative Extension office to get a feel for typical lease terms in your area.

Depending on your location and how close your hay field is to potential lessees, you may take a "share hit" if the lessees have to move their equipment some distance to your location.

Here's a good info source for leasing issues: Farmland leasing, Crop-Share, Cash Rent resources and links.

Whether you are willing to lease based on a handshake is up to you, but a written lease agreement is recommended by the experts.

Steve

 

[Ductape]

Around here the baler cuts, bales and keeps the hay. Land owner gets the field maintained.

 

[Danner]

Very diverse answers.

Here in Fort Worth, square bales will sell for $8-$10 in Aug-Sep, so the stuff is fairly valuable.

I am going to lime/cultivate/weed/seed/fertilize, etc. I just don't have a baler. I think I will take a look at the pay per bale idea. If not, trade some of the hay for the service 2/3 share seem very high, but I really don't know what I am talking about.

Thanks

 

[Danner]

I talked to a local guy who will do the cut, rake and square bale for $3.50 per bale.

Seems like a lot, but at least I have that baseline.

 

[sdkubota]

I just share cropped the hay on my 10 acres...the farmer cut, baled, and hauled away for a 50/50 split. He also purchased my 25 round bales for $1000/ton which left me a check for $1600. He might of had a total time of 4 hours cutting and baling which paid him $ 400/hr plus 1/2 the hay...more than fair, I pat the property taxes. In areas where the split isn't as good I would hire it done by the hourly basis and sell it myself.

 

[greasemonkeyok]

There have been a couple of other recent threads on this subject with lots of good input. You may want to search and read a couple of those threads to get a feel for all the issues.

 

[Danner]

Thanks.

I was looking at compact cutters and rakes, and they aren't that expensive. This plot could be cut with a 60" sickle mower on my little Kubota, and raked. It would only take a couple seasons to pay that off. But, I'm not sure someone would bale it for less if it was already in windrows.

I dunno, maybe I'm over thinking this.