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.

 

[Thomas]

Mostly around here under 15 acres or so land owner gives hay to cutter,that way fields don't grow up.

 

[EddieWalker]

Here it seems to vary between half to the land owner, half to the guy doing the baling, and a third to the landowner and 2/3rds to the baler if he is applying fertilizer, spraying for weeds, and spraying for bugs. We where hit hard by army worms last year to the point that residential lawns where being destroyed.

 

[Jchonline]

Is a grassy weedy field considered hay?

Im with ya. Dont get me started! In TX I see so many horrible bales. I would never allow weeds to be baled off of my property, nor would I sell them to anyone. I see thistle, Bahia, and all kinds of junk rolled.

Just because a cow will eat it doesnt mean you should feed it to them!

To answer OP question in TX many that have over 20 or so acres can get it baled on the halves (ie 50/50). It if you have a neighbor they might do it on fewer acres. The key here is maintaining the field (fertilizer, cow rotation). If you dont do that then you get poor yield (quantity and quality). My advice is unless you have hundreds of acres, dont do it for money. If you do, go all in and pick up other places to bale. Have a well developed plan for selling (ie customers already lined up). If you have just a few acres and money to burn, then be my guest. Haying equipment is expensive to purchase and requires maintenance. It isnt like a box blade.

How may acres do you have?

 

[kcflhrc]

That Yuppy Hay goes for a lot more

 

[widefat]

How may acres do you have?

I was just curious, hence my post - I am very happy with my arrangement and don't intend to change it. I have ~ about 8 acres of good quality grass in one particular area. The gent (beef cattle) across the road cuts it, and I don't charge or ask for anything in return. He also fertilizes it occasionally. I keep the field edges clean. I consider it to my benefit, and feel lucky that he is willing to do it.

 

[Jchonline]

For 8 acres that sounds like a good deal. Fertilizing is expensive, so that is nice of him.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Cash cropping has changed everything around here. Land you couldn't give away ten years ago, is suddenly sought after.

 

[oosik]

I have no hay. I do let the neighbors cows graze my land. Keeps control of the grass and reduces chance of wildfire spreading. The neighbor custom cuts - meadow grass & clover. From what I understand of his operation - its either on shares or for a specific cost per acre. Cost per acre is based upon the conditions at each particular site.

He has several big trucks - big trailers - lots of harvesting equipment. His operation takes him most everywhere in Ea WA.

Along with all his herds of cattle - a difficult fellow to find throughout the summer.

 

[BigBlue1]

We have three acres out of the 10 of my property that we let grow up. It's not great but is getting to be more and more just tall grass (vs. weeds). I have a neighbor who raises cows that approached me and asked to buy the hay (with him baling it). I told him he could just have it. Maybe once in a while give me a 12-pack for it. He asked about improving it by fertilizing/weed killer/discing (or some type of way to produce more) but I resist that because that would imply some type of contract where I'd be obligated to keep letting him have it since he would be investing in it. I have no intent of stopping our arrangement but I don't want to be limited if I decide someday to make some changes.

I know this 3 acres is small potatoes compared to most haying, but I figured I'd chime in...

Rob

 

[Larry Caldwell]

I have no hay. I do let the neighbors cows graze my land. Keeps control of the grass and reduces chance of wildfire spreading. The neighbor custom cuts - meadow grass & clover. From what I understand of his operation - its either on shares or for a specific cost per acre. Cost per acre is based upon the conditions at each particular site.

He has several big trucks - big trailers - lots of harvesting equipment. His operation takes him most everywhere in Ea WA.

Along with all his herds of cattle - a difficult fellow to find throughout the summer.

Grass and clover are a good mix. The clover fixes nitrogen, so you don't have to fertilize so heavily. It takes some management, because the grass will kill out the clover unless you keep it mowed. Low endophyte fescue and white clover is a popular pasture around here, with maybe some birdsfoot trefoil. They will bale the spring flush and then pasture the rest of the summer. If they have water, they may take multiple cuttings. Sheep and horses can graze subterranean clover, but it's too short for cattle.