Start Haying On A Bigger Scale?

[PROFarms]

Hi Guys

Ive been haying on a very small scale, just making enough for our 4 ponies, for a few years now. We have always rented our 10 acre field out for corn to be planted in because we never had a tractor big enough to do the 10 acres - only ever had a 16hp yanmar and got a friend to bale in return for me stacking a trailer of bales.

Anyway, now we have bought an IH 444, which is 42 PTO hp. My father and i have been discussing reseeding the 10 acre field back to grass and haying it ourselves. We have been getting $1400 plus around 50 gal. of diesel per year renting the field out to the farmer down the road. We reckon, going by our neighbours field of the same size, that we could get probably 1000 small squares a year - maybe more if another year like this, which sell around here for $6 each. Fertiliser is $400 a ton and I'm not sure what fuel costs would be seeing as we would no longer get the free fuel and i don't know what the 444 is like on fuel yet.

Have done some quick calculations and to me it looks like we would break even after loosing the $1400 a year after the first year?

Let me know on your thoughts of if we should invest in doing this

 

[RedNeckRacin]

Have you checked on used equipment prices yet? Are you handy at repairs? Do you have a welder, torch, and hammers? I jest slightly, but any hay equipment is going to need repairs and maintenance done on it. If you have done it before and enjoy the work, I say go for it. If you have never made hay before, your in for a learning curve your first couple years.

 

[PROFarms]

Yes, I'd like to think I'm pretty handy when it comes to fixing things. We have a welder and a fair few other tools I'd need.
Currently I have a trailed 4 wheel hay rake, sickle mower-which I really do hate and a Tedder. So as far as I'm thinking I should only need to go and purchase a half decent used baler. Have seen one for sale at $600ish in "tatty but ready to work after service" condition.

 

[quicksandfarmer]

I know it's a bit off topic, but can you talk about how you've been taking in the hay without a baler?

 

[PROFarms]

Previously I always had a guy from down te road do it but he's given up on doing it for people now

 

[farmer2009]

I'd bet your not far off on your estimation. Maybe a little high on expenses. But I'm not formilar with England. The 484 diesel we use to have was super easy on fuel. But the 424 gas was also. So you should be able to run atleast a day on a tank.

 

[quicksandfarmer]

Previously I always had a guy from down te road do it but he's given up on doing it for people now

Thanks. I was hoping you'd say you put it up loose. I'm planning on putting up loose hay this summer and the scarcity of other people doing it has me worried.

 

[PROFarms]

Thanks. I was hoping you'd say you put it up loose. I'm planning on putting up loose hay this summer and the scarcity of other people doing it has me worried.

Yes, we have put loose hay up before and had great success with it. Just make sure when you do it that you rake the outside and stack higher just to give it a thatch effect. Then maybe just out a tarp or something over the very top depending on the size of it.

 

[PROFarms]

I'd bet your not far off on your estimation. Maybe a little high on expenses. But I'm not formilar with England. The 484 diesel we use to have was super easy on fuel. But the 424 gas was also. So you should be able to run atleast a day on a tank.

Ok thanks. Will have another look back through and show dad but after what y'all are saying it sounds like it might be a worthy investment.

 

[quicksandfarmer]

Yes, we have put loose hay up before and had great success with it. Just make sure when you do it that you rake the outside and stack higher just to give it a thatch effect. Then maybe just out a tarp or something over the very top depending on the size of it.

Thanks, it's comforting to hear that.