Hay situation

we do need nut for the sheep, we use heygates, Bocm are very similar priced, will google them if they deliver to bedford, with 120 in barn to lamb soon and 400+ march time we get through a tonnage but feed in fields with snacker.
 
I think this thread demonstrates that the hay situation has been very different across the country this year. It has certainly been easier to buy hay, or pay for it to be kept and stored, in some parts of the country than others.
 
alsxx .. how was my comment not helpful? every farmer that makes hay in june/july has hay for sale. you can pay for it and get it stored (might have to pay for storage) and get it when you need it. i paid for mine, put half in my barn and the other 2000 bales in the farmers barn. paid and secured. JOB DONE. and funnily enough winter DOES come every year and those who dont budget for 70+ bales per horse will pay premium.

yes ideally that would be the best thing to do. And I could afford to do it, but farmers in my area just WOULDN'T let people buy in advance! Even farmers that usually do every year, said no. They were/are rationing it per yard! (they caught on quick to diff people at the yard calling up) One of my clients, who was desperate to buy up in bulk found a farmer 150 miles away who said yes to him and what he has bought is totaly rubbish.
 
My hay dealer wouldn't let me pay for the winter's hay upfront even though I offered to pay for storage and I'm a regular customer. I have had one delivery of 80 bales and am half way through it. She usually has two thirds of a bale a day, however in this very cold weather I'm giving her extra. I've increased the amount of chaff in her feeds because we get that fairly cheap.
The winter paddock has no grass and the summer field is resting after being trashed last spring, but if things get desperate she'll have to go in there.

Good news is that the dealer says he still has plenty left.
 
I couldn't order and pay up front for my hay. although I've reserved a year's worth, as my hayman wanted to count up after his final cut and then price accordingly. I've been buying from him for three years now and trust him not to rip me off.
 
Yes, you probably will struggle to find hay. Those that do have it, either want the moon and stars for it, or are stockpiling for the bad weather expected.
Haylage is different though. This year there seems to be a glut of it our way, and we are paying far far less than ever for it.

You don't have any hayalge supplier numbers do you by any chance?
 
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