Cost to mow hay field

[tude]

I have a 20 acre hay field that a neighbor takes the hay off for his dairy cows. With all the rain here in North Central Pennsylvania this summer he finally mowed this week. I don't think he is going to be able to use any of the hay as rain is forecast for the rest of the week. I will make an offer to pay his expenses for knocking down the hay and would like an estimate on how much it would cost me to have someone to cut the field.

 

[art]

Old hay can still be used for bedding! Don't offer unless it does go sour!

 

[Thomas]

Could base it on brush hogging rates in your area???

 

[Duffster]

I have a 20 acre hay field that a neighbor takes the hay off for his dairy cows. With all the rain here in North Central Pennsylvania this summer he finally mowed this week. I don't think he is going to be able to use any of the hay as rain is forecast for the rest of the week. I will make an offer to pay his expenses for knocking down the hay and would like an estimate on how much it would cost me to have someone to cut the field.

Does he normlly pay you for the hay?

Why would you pay him for cutting it?

 

[Builder]

I have a 20 acre hay field that a neighbor takes the hay off for his dairy cows. With all the rain here in North Central Pennsylvania this summer he finally mowed this week. I don't think he is going to be able to use any of the hay as rain is forecast for the rest of the week. I will make an offer to pay his expenses for knocking down the hay and would like an estimate on how much it would cost me to have someone to cut the field.

It has been a terrible summer for hay in PA. We just got a 3 day window of dry weather to cut last week.

 

[Negligence]

Not sure why you want to pay him for mowing, but that's probably three to four hours of mowing plus fuel. Figure out what his hourly is and that would be a fair price.

But I'm sure he will take the hay off eventually, otherwise it will prevent growth for next year if it's left there.

 

[tude]

I'm just looking for a ball park figure as if I had someone come in and bush hog it. I don't charge anything for the field since he has a use for it and I don't have to pay someone to mow it each year. I just thought I would pay for his mowing expenses (fuel) if the hay is unusable. Its cheaper than hiring someone else to come in and mow. His discbine does the job a lot quicker than rotary mower. I'll make an offer but I don't think he would accept.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I'm just looking for a ball park figure as if I had someone come in and bush hog it. I don't charge anything for the field since he has a use for it and I don't have to pay someone to mow it each year. I just thought I would pay for his mowing expenses (fuel) if the hay is unusable. Its cheaper than hiring someone else to come in and mow. His discbine does the job a lot quicker than rotary mower. I'll make an offer but I don't think he would accept.

The going rate for custom mowing is approx. $20 an acre for a piece of ground that size (at least in this area) A disc mower is capable of mowing at speeds unheard of for a rotary mower.

 

[mattman]

I would probaly not bring up the idea of me paying him to cut, when he usually does it for his benefit. I can see him cutting the grass for you, but he is not having to buy hay or pay rent on a field to make hay on. The weather is out of your control. I don't see how this is your problem.

My 2 cents

 

[Duffster]

I just thought I would pay for his mowing expenses (fuel) if the hay is unusable.

He only used about $10-$15 worth of fuel to cut that.