OT: Value of unmade hay??

This year, I assumed that everything was proceeding without problems...until this past weekend, when he informed me that about 40 acres of good hay ground never got cut or baled.

This is a good, hard working fellow that is just spread too thin, so I believe him when he tells me that: "He just couldn't get to it". He proceeded to tell me: "To figure up what I think I have coming, and he will settle up."

I don't want to let this affect our working relationship; but, I hesitate to just let it slide by as well. My question is: Should I go ahead and arrive at a nominal figure for loss of income, and if so; how do you value uncut crop? Just guess at the number of bales that could have been made times a dollar amount...or?

Thanks for your help.

It makes a difference in damages. For sure one of the problems in farming is just about everything goes wrong.

With this info I would say if he only cuts for you then you have a share deal. You win but you also lose right along with the tenant.

But on the other hand if he has cash land from others I would want some compensation. At least the taxes (or half) as another has said. The reason being is I have seen tenants that have some cash land and some share land work the cash land only in a hard year. They know they have to pay for the cash land anyway so they do it first. While you should share in the loss because you have share land you should not have to take a loss because he is working other land for cash and did not get to yours.

Bottom line you need to know how this guy has treated you in the past and why he did not cut your land. At the very least I would demand that he bush hog the grass to prepare it for next years hay and to knock down any weeds that may be in the field. No use letting all the weeds go to seed and putting you in the hole more.

If he also had cash rent and owned land that didn't get cut I forget about trying to get anything out of him but let him know that under no circumstances would your business relationship sustain another no-call no-show.

It happens that that sometimes time and weather go against you no matter how hard you try, but to not even make a simple phone call is what makes me really question this guy.

Yes if he is overworked and not doing good with the weather, I can understand not making the hay, BUT MAYBE HE SOULD HAVE TOLD YOU BEFORE THIS ???

Have a Good One !!

Teddy

That's what honesty and character are all about....John

Boy, I think I'd bite the bullet and let this one go.

I don't know where you guys are located, but this was a bad year for everyone making hay on accout of the darned weather.

Why screw up a good relationship over something that just could not be helped and probably wasn't the guys fault?

Now on the other hand, if you are located here close by me, tell him to 'go to' and give me the contract. :>)

Allan

This would also help tell you just what kind of man he is, and if you should be looking for another.