what does it cost you to have hay made

meesha

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Hi I have been quoted by a farmer to have hay made off 2 acres - he rents the rest of the field which he would be doing hay from at same time.

He has quoted me 1.50-1.75 for small bale and £13 per big round bale hay - is this about right ? not having had it done before I have no idea !
 
I haven't made small bales for years - not many farmers do it anymore round here.

Last time that I made big bales they were haylage, and they cost £10/bale. That was about 3/4yrs ago, so prices may well have risen. It may be a bit cheaper for hay as it doesn't need wrapping, but then again it gets turned again if I remember rightly.

Those prices sound ok - cheaper than buying it in... You just have to go through the stress of hoping it won't rain!
 
thanks, i am obsessed with the weather - it did look like we had 3 clear sunny days from today but they have changed the weather report overnight to rain for Monday ! ahhhhh
 
I had hay made 3 years ago now and was charged £1.54 per bale, so with the rising price of diesel I would say that sounds a fair price to me.
 
Hi there

As a hay producer and contractor, those prices that you quoted are not far out. As you are all aware, all prices have gone up in recent months which includes fuel, string, net wrap and labour. I would say for mowing, tedding two or three times, rowing up and baling will take around 3 to 5 days. With prices of hay rapidly increasing, if you can get your hay made for you then do it.
 
thanks for all the replies, he may bring it in for me but the field it is being made off joins my yard so I can tootle round with my trailer and load up fairly quickly and easily to bring it back.

Keep your fingers crossed for weather ! i am meant to be away next weekend but have already said that if its good weather and hay being done i will have to be here to make sure its in undercover as soon as is done !! with the hay situation as it is its my priority !!

what an exciting life i lead !!! haha
 
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