Hay - how does it work

[widefat]

How does the hay market work in your neck of the woods?
Do you sell? Give to the cutter as a trade for keeping your field cut?
If you sell, what is the minimum that makes it worth the farmer's time?
Cost = time + distance?

 

[cat fever]

There are so many variables it would be hard to answer.

My last home was on a 6 acre lot. Hardly worth buying all the equipment to hay. But I enjoy it and it was therapy so I bought all the equipment. I fed 2 calves yearly. If you have lots of horse owners around you they will most likely want small bales. Keep in mind, the horse owner is way pickier than the horse about the feed. :laughing:

 

[kcflhrc]

My neighbor does my 10 acres and I get no revenue from it. It probably costs him more in time and fuel than it's worth. But he's retired and enjoys doing it.

 

[MossRoad]

I know several people that have others cut and bale it for them. They spilt it 50-50.

 

[amaxwell]

I just give all the hay to my neighbor , it keeps me from having to brush-hog it twice a year.

 

[drssg]

I think it would also depend on what’s in the field. If it’s something like a planted and fertilized field of timothy or alfalfa, then I could see a 50/50 split. If it’s just a mixed grass weedy field, then I wouldn’t charge for it.

 

[RustyA]

Typical split in our area is 2/3 for the person making the hay and 1/3 for the owner unless it's a small field or rough grass. Then it's usually the maker that keeps all the hay.

 

[MossRoad]

I think it would also depend on what’s in the field. If it’s something like a planted and fertilized field of timothy or alfalfa, then I could see a 50/50 split. If it’s just a mixed grass weedy field, then I wouldn’t charge for it.

Is a grassy weedy field considered hay?

 

[drssg]

Is a grassy weedy field considered hay?

I’m not sure of the official definition, but some people will bale and feed it. I’m a horse guy, and we are pickier. Some cattle people will feed junkier hay.

The same principle applies to hay that was baled wet and turned moldy. Horse people avoid it like the plague, because it can kill a horse. Cows seem to be better at picking through it to find what’s good.

 

[bunyip]

50/50 is the going rate here or $X per bale, we haven't done it for a while but last time was $5 for a small square bale, we chose to buy round bales for $50 which is cheaper than doing our own.