Haymaking or Haylage making in Lancs

[Loopy Lu]

Does anyone know of anyone who would be willing to make hay/haylage off just a small field. I have 4 acres which needs to be cut (haven't had a horse to put on it since winter, so has grown like mad), but most won't touch such a small amount. I'm in Rossendale. Quite happy for it to be made into haylage as I assume that would just be one trip for them. I can't use the field as it is because the grass is so long and I have a horse again so will need to use it in the next couple of months.

 

[severnmiles]

No still not one trip. Depending how thick your crop is you need 4-5 days of good sunshine. It'll have to be mown and then turned (again the amount depends on the strength of the sun and how thick the crop is) 2/3 times a day for a couple of days and then they'll come out with a baler and a wrapper if you're having haylage made.

You should leave the field a few weeks before putting anything on it.

 

[henryhorn]

Oooo love the avatar of your new mare viewing her surroundings!
That farmer who lived below us (access his farm via the estate off the Burnley road Lawrence Suthers? or similar name ) might do it, he is a bit odd to deal with but ok once you get past that...
Or the chap who lived next door to us Richard ? You can only ask them..

 

[digger2]

Henryhorn - Is Lawrence the guy that has a load of "parked "cars all over his farm?

Loopylu, problem might be that when the weather is fit enough farmers will be geting their own in first, have you asked at feed places for contractors? or Farmers guardian?

 

[Loopy Lu]

Yes, I think I may be in lumber because of the foul weather and mine just being a small bit that would be fitted in. I have checked the Farmers, but need to check with the two that HH suggested. But if I can't get it done it's what to do with grass that's yay high!! If I get it topped I'd have to get it shifted. I really hadn't realised that haylage need as much turning and drying as hay needs to (nearly)!