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Help with Hay???

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Bama Binder

01-02-2001 13:35:35




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I read with interest the thread below about hay and the equipment needed to do the work. All this comes at a time when I happen to be looking at buying 25 acres of land that the current owner has been growing and selling the hay off of. I admit complete ignorance in these matters, so perhaps the distinguished members of the board can help.

If I bought the land, I would continue to do that and would use the proceeds to defray the cost of the property. Or maybe it would cost more than it is worth to do.

My question centers around the economics of selling hay. This is good grass and I think would sell for probably $2.00 per square bale. Here in Alabama given that I fertilize I think I could get 2 cuttings a summer.

Can someone give me an idea about what the costs (excluding equipment, I think that has already been covered in the previous thread) would be and what the potential profits might be (I guess I really need to know what the yeild will be in the number of square bales).

Any help is appreciated...thanks...BB

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Roy

01-02-2001 17:20:55




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 Re: Help with Hay??? in reply to Bama Binder, 01-02-2001 13:35:35  
Just to give you a buyers view on selling your hay,I have horses and pay $3.00 a bale delivered for quality hay here in northern Indiana.My main concern is getting quality hay when looking to buy.I know each area price varies,but just trying to give you a view from the customer's side.
Roy



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Firetruck

01-02-2001 17:35:40




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 Re: Re: Help with Hay??? in reply to Roy, 01-02-2001 17:20:55  
Not being from the south I don't really understand the climate. It would seem that you should be able to get more cuttings, considering that a average field here in PA will easily give two good cuttings with minimal fert. i don't know if nutrient management is an issue down there, if so you can most likely be answer to a bird or hog farmers problem. Good luck. Making hay when the sun shines isn't as easy as it seems.

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ltf in nc

01-02-2001 14:21:38




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 Re: Help with Hay??? in reply to Bama Binder, 01-02-2001 13:35:35  
The costs to cut,rake and bale here in NC is around $.75 per bale. Since this is nonirrigated land two cuttings are reasonable. You did not state the type of grass that you would be harvesting. There are lots of variables associated with the volume of hay produced. I would expect the total yield per acre to average 100 bales. This may be low but some years the weather just will not cooperate. If you get more that will just be a bonus. You must have dry storage and if you can locate enough horse hay buyers you should be able to increase the price for quality hay. Cattle producers will not want to pay more than $1.25 per square bale. Best other outlet will be hobby farmers.

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Bama Binder

01-02-2001 14:49:58




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 Re: Re: Help with Hay??? in reply to ltf in nc, 01-02-2001 14:21:38  
ltf in nc...thanks for the info...exactly what I needed...2 other questions come to mind...

First is do you fertilize and if so did that figure into the $.75 cost per bale?

Second is that you mention if I find enough horse hay buyers I can increase the price per bale...is it possible to get $2.50 or $3.00 per bale? The owner told me the type of grass, but I can't remember...I'll call him back.

OK...one other question...what are the dimensions of a square bale...I'm going from memory, but I think they are about 18" high by 24" wide by 42" long...is this about right?? There is a 4 stall barn that I can convert to hay storage and I'm trying to figure out if 2500 bales will fit.

Thanks again...I can't imagine anywhere else where you can get so much good info in a matter of minutes...BB

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ltf in nc

01-02-2001 16:53:42




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 Re: Re: Re: Help with Hay??? in reply to Bama Binder, 01-02-2001 14:49:58  
Yes, I fertilize and lime. In the Fall I apply 10-20-20 and early in the Spring I apply liquid nitrogen. When lagoon waste or chicken litter is available I substitute that for fertilizer as it is cheaper and the chicken s*** gives the grass a kickstart. I grow fescue interplanted with Ladino clover and Marion lespedeza. Since I have beef cattle, I only sell what surplus hay that I have and it is sold in round bales. It is possible to get $3.00+ for good quality horse hay. Hay prices are based on supply and demand. When it is plentiful, the price in the field behind the baler with the customer picking it up is low ($1.00-$1.25) Once it goes in storage and the supply shrinks the price jumps ($2.75-$3.50 based on quantity and quality) Bale dimensions vary but a good square bale should weigh 50+ lbs. and the length should be twice the width to enable maximum and uniform stacking. Since you will get more than one cutting you may not be storing the total yield as hopefully you would have sold some. 2500 bales will take a lot of storage space. For example, an enclosed trailer such as behind a roadtractor will hold between 600 and 800 bales. Do not take these facts as actual because I too am running on memory and conditions do vary considerably across the country.

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Dick Davis

01-03-2001 06:15:13




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Help with Hay??? in reply to ltf in nc, 01-02-2001 16:53:42  
Here in western Iowa many horse owners want pure alfalfa for there animals. Vets will tell you alfalfa is too rich and lacks the bulk mature horses need. But because it is the "richest" owners think it is the best. Anyway I converted brome to alfalfa and harvest four cuttings. Ranges in price from $ 1.50 - $4.50 per bale wire tied 75 pounders. Old hay equipment is inexpensive to buy and a challenge to keep running when the sun shines, neighbors with back up machinery are worth a lot. Dick

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