The cost of baling hay

[JESSE1]

I baled some hay for other people back in the early '80's, the going rate for cutting, raking and round baling was $12. Considering how high things are now, $25 a roll probably is a fair price to charge. It's a lot cheaper to pay that than buy your own equipment.

 

[Bob Ha]

i must be baling hay to cheap i cut rake and bale a 4x5 rale for 18 to 20 dollars a roll depending on the fields and how ruff they are. and i only sell my hay for 40 to 45 dollars a roll unless someone buys a 100 or more bales then its 35

I've been selling my 4x5 (1,200lb) cow hay 1st cut for $45. Rye grass, Vetch, Clover and some weeds. People coming hundreds of miles to pick up 18 to 38 rolls. Second and third cuts will cost more based on the quality of grasses.

My cost is low, all machinery paid for so expenses are twin, fuel, fertilizer, Weed control (2-4-D), misc supplies and beer(pain reliever). Even labor is free... My 78 year old dad just loves baling and good luck getting him off the tractor once he's on it. A few weeks ago we baled some fields and he stayed on the tractor 10 hours before I even arrived at the farm. I gently had a discussion with him about over doing it but he blew me off. :laughing:

We need about 125 bales to get us through the winter months and sell everything else produced.

 

[bigbull338]

i priced brand new baling equipment about a month ago.an they wanted $7000 or a tad more for an 8ft disc cutter $5000 for an 8 wheel rake an $17,000 for a 4 by 5 baler with netwrap.everything can be pulled with a mx5100 hst 4x4.so the total was $29000.our baler man priced a new JD 4 by 6 baler at $35000 that was a $11,000 price increase in 4 or 5yrs.now the guys with older equipment are still baling hay for $20 to $22 a bale.but you better be ready for breakdowns an other things.

 

[Briana03]

I moved your thread to the new Haying forum!