I got into cattle because of baling hay. I was custom baling any small patches I could find. Any with too many weeds or that got wet I would put in my barn. So I would wind up with a barn full of poor hay. I started marketing that through cattle.
As others have said you can pay your expenses. You also can get a good Section 179 deduction against your earned income from your job. Talk to your tax guy.
20 acres is not enough to keep your equipment running well. But once you've got everything you need you can custom bale for others either on shares or for cash.
Handling small square bales is becoming very difficult as you can't hire help anymore most places. I have a NH bale wagon which picks them up and stacks them in the barn so I can still do square bales. Roeder Implements in Seneca KS (on Nebraska line) sell refurbished and used bale wagons at attractive prices.
You didn't say where in Texas. There's a lot of different climates. Assuming you're not irrigating and in a dry area raising prairie grass you cut one time per year and may get one ton per acre. At 30 small square bales per ton and 20 acres you're looking at 600 bales which may sell for $3,000 gross income. If you are real efficient you might put $2,400 in you pocket. $200/month does not pay a big of equipment loan. If you can find nine neighbors with 20 acres each you're looking at $30,000. And you can meet your wife again come fall.
Round bales are easier but you make less money and are competing against more people.
Doing small square bales in fields from 3a to 10 ac I would average 700 bales per week working alone after downtime and weather had their impact.
There is some money to be made but you have to line up work, outsmart the weather, make your own repairs, market your hay, placate irate owners and customers, and keep your records carefully for taxes.
We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]
Today's Featured Article - Product Review: JB Weld - by Staff. JB Weld is basically an epoxy glue that does an exceptionally good job of bonding to cast iron and steel along with several other materials. As I mentioned, it is so common that I have yet to buy a tractor that did not have JB Weld used somewhere. It is sometimes used so well you can't tell its there and other times used as a sloppy quick fix. Finding where and how it can be used correctly is key to whether you are using it as an "inelegant hack" or an integral solution to difficult and expens
... [Read Article]
Latest Ad:
1964 I-H 140 tractor with cultivators and sidedresser. Starts and runs good. Asking 2650. CALL RON AT 502-319-1952
[More Ads]
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy
TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.
