Posted by Nathan (SD) on August 01, 2013 at 01:12:59 from (75.102.183.211):
2012. My father in law has a small beef herd. Last year because of the drought he ran short of feed. Pastures that usually last till Nov 1 were done by Sept 1. Usually he would graze some corn stalks too but he chopped most of his corn cuz of the dry year. Normally on Dec 1 he likes to have 200-250 tons on hand. Because of early feeding and reduced yields in the hay fields it took most of his corn crop to get his feed supply adequate. About Feb 1 he got the sense winter was gonna drag on longer than normal, which it did, so he bought some hay from a guy. 60 bales at $65 each. $130 a ton. It was 2011 grass hay. Mostly road ditches. We had to dig it out of the snow and I hauled it home in my spare time. First time in 15 years my father in law bought any hay. Not really in the budget but do what you gotta do.
Now 2013. Hay yields are about 120% of normal which is almost triple 2012 yields. Our pastures should last till Dec 1 easily. Gonna have cornstalks to graze. Got 20 acres of corn that got planted too late. More Silage. Culled the herd a little bit. He is gonna have plenty of feed on hand for winter.
Hay guy pulls in last week Monday offering his new crop grass at $150 a ton. Told him we probably don't need any hay this year but you never know. Yesterday he is back again. $120 a ton now. Father in law tells him he would be a buyer at $70 a ton just to help out. That is about pasture rent price now. Hay guy responded with a comment about burning the hay before giving it away. 3 years ago most grass hay was $50 a ton. Now $70 is give away?
We can buy corn for $156 a ton for Dec 1 delivery. I know my father in law was trying to be neighborly but I think he was foolish for offering $70 when looking at feed value. This is for grass hay, not alfalfa. I know the cow can't live on corn alone but he has plenty of roughage in stock already.
Where should grass be priced vs $4.50 corn? Any good feed conversion links on the web?
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