Neighbor Burned My Prairie Hay

[greasemonkeyok]

Expect he might say "I didn't think you would mind a little help killing the weeds growing on your land." Implying that there was not much good grass killed and you are being too persnickety.

If you are selling your hay as organic (no chemicals), it is a big deal when someone sprays. If it is not that much hay that you lost, I would favor just letting him know that is not acceptable to you and that you expect it to not happen again. Take photos this year (to keep for future reference) using a measuring tape on the ground to show exactly how far the spray drifted. It's hard to tell from the photos just how much area is involved.

 

[NHmitch]

huskerhayman,

Anything in the mail on this situation is by Certified Signed Recipt. Get a log started with photos of the problem area and make copies of any correspondence. I agree with Blueriver this is going to be interesting and educational
idaho2

That is a good recommendation, if you need to show a date in the photo, you can take the picture with a current issue of the newspaper in the background. That way he can't say the damage happened years ago. I would try to talk it out first, and let him know that you are not your landlord. He may think that the landowner is haying the property, and that may be malicious with the overspray, or it may be an accident. Due to the cost of weed killer, I would image that it was accidental.

 

[tow653]

If Roundup did cause it,isn't it likely grass is dead for good? May be more than one cutting of damage.

 

[jbooth]

Easy solution, just bale 25' of his corn.

 

[yelbike]

If its 2 or 3 bales of hay per year, I wouldn't sweat it too much. Around here a bales go for $30-35 per bale.

Forget any legal action as you would have to show intent or neglience( hard too prove). I agree with the photos (with the newpaper) and keep them filed away.

I would talk to him first. Be nice and keep in mind its a small issue the grand scheme of things. It should be addressed though, as you wouldn't want things to get worse. If the guy turns out to be a jerk, talk to the proper state official. He'll get the message. He may not wave to you when he drives by anymore.:ashamed:

Good luck just treat him like you'd like to be treated.

 

[igpoobah]

Go over and tell him that you burned 25' of his crop. After he calms down, tell him it was actually 25' of your crop that HE burned. That ought to get the point across...

 

[edlegault]

Go over and tell him that you burned 25' of his crop. After he calms down, tell him it was actually 25' of your crop that HE burned. That ought to get the point across...

:laughing: :thumbsup: :licking: :laughing:

 

[brin]

My property is next to a row crop field. Last year it was beans and this year it is corn. I cut my grass for hay and sell it. Last year they killed a little of my grass but this year it is worse. There are places where they killed the grass about 25' in. Now I realize it is just grass but if I killed his corn 25' in you bet I would hear about it. How should I go about addressing this? By the way I live in Nebraska.

I can share this with you....I had a tenant that was renting a house from me next to a farmer's wheat field...The Tenant's son was playing with matches and started a fire and it burned about an acre of the farmer's wheat...He charged my Tenant $250.00 for the wheat loss and that has been 15 yrs. ago...So I would not just let it go...He is responsible for what he did and you can imagine if it was reversed and you burned his crop...do you think he would just shrug and forget it ...Nahh, he would be in your face....