Posted by Paul in MN on August 10, 2008 at 11:04:19 from (207.224.88.88):
In Reply to: Haying posted by Dave S. on August 09, 2008 at 21:09:51:
Individual markets vary a lot, but if you have good equipment and can do the job in a very timely manner that coordinates with the weather, then here is some guidlines. This is based on experience as we do some custom square baling.
Cut, rake, bale (50-60# bales), drop in field $2.00/bale minimum.
Cut, rake, bale, bales on wagons pulled up to barnyard for customer to unload $2.50/bale min.
Cut, rake, bale, bales stacked neatly in customer's barn $3.00/bale min.
Buy my guaranteed quality horse hay from my barn, loaded and hauled by the customer.. $4.00/bale now.
We provide good equipment, have backup tractors, balers, and wagons to cover any possible breakdowns, and have electronic moisture meters in the bale case of each baler that reads out in the tractor cab. Grass/alfalfa mix hay must be below 17% moisture in summer baling to be mold free in storage. Cow hay is a lot less critical, as the cows can put up with a lot of dust from molds.
These rates assume hay is being made on a decent hay field, not some old pasture filled with rocks, posts, wire, and trees. The field should be reasonably weed free and have been fertilized to give a decent crop. If the crop is very thin, do not do the job on a per bale price. I have seen some "hay fields" that yield only about 10 bales/acre in midsummer cutting. You need about 50 bales/acre minimum to make the above prices work for you.
With all the variables, it is really hard to give any good answer without seeing the field and crop. When I get a possible customer asking about the costs, I make sure that I visit the field and see their barn before giving any firm prices. When they choke at the cost, I tell them to go buy their own equipment and a maintanence shop, hire somebody who knows how to operate and maintain and fix it, provide adequate insurance for travel on the roadways, and liability insurance for anyone possibly getting hurt, do the paperwork with the FSA and the IRS, and if they can do all that and get good dry hay into the barn cheaper than I can, why hell, I'll subcontract all my work to them and they can get rich too. ...Never had any takers on that offer.
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