Bulk hay purchase

[ejb]

Hi guys.

Looking for help on getting a lot of hay for next winter. By my estimates I will need 2000, 40lb bales, or 40 tons. This past year I typically paid $150/ton ($3/bale). Sometimes delivered at that cost, sometimes that was the pickup price.

I realize 40 tons is not an enourmous amount of hay, but its getting up there. If the farm (sheep)proceeds as I hope I'll need upto 100 tons in a few years. I am considering switching over to 700 lb round bales to save money (hoepfully) but also cut down on the feeding time every day.

I am looking for tips on finding and buying bigger quantities of hay. I am in New England. Anyone know of big outfits that can deliver that quantity of hay? (New England/upstate NY.)

How many small square bales, or 700lb round bales might fit on a flatbed semi if I had it trucked in from farther away? (trying to figure out how much the trucking might add to the cost if it wasn't local).

Also, how many usuable 40lb bales of hay might one expect to get out of a 700lb bale? (simple math says 17.5, but how much ends up being wasted?).

Can round bales be stored outside w/out a significant loss if I had them delivered late summer early fall and fed them out all winter?

Thanks in advance!

 

[RichZ]

This is not an answer to your question, but I suggest that you may have to more to consider than what you mention. Not all hay is created equal. I assume that you're talking about grass hay. Grass hay can be composed of various types of grasses, and may have different protein and nutritional values. Differnet cuttings also have different values. If you're buying hay from an unknown source (or even a know source) I would insist on having an analysis of the hay done.

I briefly prouced my own hay, until my goat dairy grew, and I no longer had time for haying. I now buy my hay from a friend. It is completely organic, and has the exact nutritional composition that I need for my goats. I buy hay from him in bulk, and I get a pretty good price for it. But I could get hay from other sources somewhat cheaper. However, I wouldn't even consider it.

It's also important to know the moisture content of the hay, especially if you keep it in the barn with your livestock, as I do. I keep my hay in two large haylofts in my barn. Too much moisture in the hay could cause it to decompose fast enough to cause spontaneous combustion. I sure don't need a hay fire in my barn.

Just some points to consider. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[slowrev]

Prices vary a lot. why not get the big 1,200 lb or so rolls, lots cheaper that way.
Ben

 

[Birdman]

Around here we have hay auctions. you buy a load of hay and if you are close ( I think with-in 20 miles) it gets delivered as part of the price, if farther away you have to pay more for delivery or load it onto your own truck/trailer/wagon. Try checking with local feed stores/farm stores to see if anything like this goes on in your area. Other than that I have had good luck advertising in the local paper for both things I want to sell or things I want to buy.

 

[Indydirtfarmer]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Around here we have hay auctions. you buy a load of hay and if you are close ( I think with-in 20 miles) it gets delivered as part of the price, if farther away you have to pay more for delivery or load it onto your own truck/trailer/wagon. Try checking with local feed stores/farm stores to see if anything like this goes on in your area. Other than that I have had good luck advertising in the local paper for both things I want to sell or things I want to buy. )</font>

I'm searching for the link now, with (obviously) no luck. There are several "hay brokers" who have internet sales/auctions.

I'm having a "stupid attack" today, and can't do much that involves thinking.... Maybe tomorrow will be better....

(Something about working 17 straight hours, then getting 4 hours sleep, followed by 9 hours MORE work....I NEED A NAP /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif)

 

[slowzuki]

Much of our hay in this area is shipped down to your area. Typically we are paid 2$ a bale canadian and it sells at 3$ a bale USD so the trucker gets 1.50USD per bale for his efforts.

Ken