Hay QualityBale TypeMinimum Price Per TonGrade 1Small Square$160Large Square$85Large Round$65Grade 2Large Square$85
Is hay a good cash crop?
Over the last few years many hay acres have been planted to cash grain crops. … Consequently, hay prices are strong and in demand. Some areas have received adequate rainfall and are harvesting yields that will allow excess forage production for sale.
How much hay can 15 acres produce?
Probably average 3000 (+/-) 40 pound bales, so 60 tons more or less! That would be a total for all cuttings taken.
How many acres do you need to grow hay?
You don’t need hundreds of acres to start out. In fact, with today’s equipment designed for small, hobby farms, you can grow and harvest on less than 10 acres. But, depending on your growing season, you’ll likely have to charge more per bale than a competitor farming 10 times that size.How much hay will an acre grow?
Even an average rule of thumb can vary widely by region, soil, and type of hay. For us here in the Midwest, a mixed grass/legume hay can yield anywhere from one to five tons per acre for a full season.
Is Alfalfa a good cash crop?
It’s a profitable crop these days, with prices for high quality hay frequently reaching $250/ton. But in addition to its over $1 billion value to the state of California, alfalfa provides a host of environmental benefits that are frequently overlooked.
Do farmers grow hay?
Your pastures can offer one of the most valuable crops grown on your land: hay. For many farmers, growing your own hay to feed your livestock is one satisfying step closer to a self-sufficient farm.
How much hay will 100 acres produce?
At 65lbs per bale (which can vary significantly, but whatever), that’s about 77 bales. So for 100 acres that’s about 7700 bales or about 250 tons of dry hay.Is farming profitable in Alberta?
Income for the province’s agricultural producers fell by 68.1 per cent last year, with the sector earning a net income of $250.5 million across the province, according to a Statistics Canada report.
Is it cheaper to buy hay or make it?In most environments where forage production is based on natural rainfall, you can almost always buy hay cheaper than you can produce it. Most farmers and ranchers initially don’t believe this. … When full cost of production is accounted for, hay generally costs between $70 and $140/ton to produce.
Article first time published onHow do I start a hay field?
For hay, mow the field with a rotary mower to remove problem plants by cutting them before they set viable seed. Till to control tenacious, perennial weeds, such as bedstraw, and then seed. The best time to seed is in May or in the first three weeks of August, when seed will survive and compete with weeds better.
How much does it cost to plant a hay field?
Costs generally are $200 to $300 per acre. Your cost for organic may be less but your expected yields will be alot less.
How often is hay harvested?
Type of HayCuttings Per YearTiming to HarvestTall fescue2-3Boot to early head stage for 1st cutting. Every 4-6 weeks after for 2nd and 3rd cuttings.Timothy2-3Boot to early head stage for 1st cutting. Every 4-6 weeks after for 2nd and 3rd cuttings.Wheat1Boot to early head stage.
What equipment do you need to farm hay?
Hay Equipment A compact tractor is the staple of every operation, but mowers, conditioners, hay rakes, balers, and sometimes hay tedders and bale wrappers are also needed.
How many times a year can you bale hay?
In most areas of the country, grass hay can be cut twice, sometimes three times, per year. The first cutting generally has the largest yield.
How much hay does a cow need?
Cows will voluntarily consume 2.0% of body weight or 24 pounds per day. The 24 pounds is based on 100% dry matter. Grass hays will often be 7 to 10% moisture. If we assume that the hay is 92% dry matter or 8% moisture, then the cows will consume about 26 pounds per day on an “as-fed basis”.
How many tons of hay can you get per acre?
The average U.S. dry hay yield (all types) dropped from 2.52 tons per acre in 2016 to 2.44 tons per acre in 2017.
How hard is it to grow hay?
Commercial farms have little difficulty raising hay or sourcing out their needs, but smaller farmers and urban hobbyists can also grow, harvest and bale hay even on a smaller scale. Haying can be challenging, and some farmers simply enjoy that challenge.
Why do farmers leave hay bales in the field?
If they are scattered around the field the farmer is just waiting for a convenient time to pick them up and move them. If lined up along the edge of the field they are being stored there. Big round bales can handle being left outside, and even if the outside looks weathered the inside will be good for a year or longer.
How do you farm hay?
Hay Today. Today, the process for growing hay still involves letting the plants grow to maturity, then cutting it, letting it dry in the sun, raking it, and gathering it up in some form, whether that be round or square bales, or as loose hay.
How much money do alfalfa farmers make?
Over a three-year average, alfalfa returns a profit of $98.82/acre compared to a $44.77/acre return for corn and $39.68/acre for soybeans, Miller estimated using information from Midwestern farms compiled through the FINBIN database.
What is more profitable hay or corn?
If you do a good job with hay and have a decent market you’ll end up with more net profit from an acre of hay than an acre of corn. That acre of hay will be a lot more work though.
How much is an acre of alfalfa worth?
In this example, the standing value for the entire alfalfa field could range from $230 to $360/acre for the entire growing season. Keep in mind ownership costs can run $300- 400/acre when the seller considers lost rent, establishment costs and top-dress fertilizer to maintain soil fertility.
What is the most profitable type of farming in Canada?
Oilseed and grain farms have the highest average operating profit margin among farm types.
Which agriculture is most profitable Canada?
“There’s just more money in canola.” The crop – Canada’s most profitable – provides big earnings for the seed firms, too. Canola accounts for one-third of Monsanto’s total annual Canadian revenue, said spokeswoman Trish Jordan, who declined to specify the amount.
Which province is best for farming in Canada?
Farm and Farm Operator Data. Saskatchewan remains the breadbasket of Canada. Almost 91% of the total cropland in Saskatchewan was seeded with field crops in 2016. Saskatchewan accounted for more than two-fifths of Canada’s total field crop acreage with 36.7 million acres, more than Alberta and Manitoba combined.
How much hay does a cow need in the winter?
Cows will voluntarily consume 2 percent of body weight or 24 pounds per day. The 24 pounds is based on 100 percent dry matter. If we assume that the hay is 92 percent dry matter or 8 percent moisture, then the cows will consume about 26 pounds per day on an “as-fed basis.”
How much does a ton of hay cost?
Depending on the type, quality, place of harvest, and size of hay bales, you should expect to pay something between $30 and $300 per ton of hay. If you want hay to contain alfalfa or Bermuda grass, then it will be more expensive.
How many cows can you have per acre?
You should be able to keep between 0.5 and 1.1 cows per acre on average pasture. In general, rotational grazing may increase the cows-per-acre rate up to 30% compared to traditional grazing.
How can I sell hay?
A roadside sign is often overlooked but also very effective as, because of its bulk, most hay is sold within 30 miles of home. Let those around you know you have hay for sale with a sign at the road. Auction barn bulletin boards, classified newspaper ads, or ads in dairy or equine magazines can all work.
Is baling your own hay worth it?
“Whether you can get a better deal baling your own hay than having a custom baler do the work depends on your equipment and operating costs,” says Whitney Wiegel, University of Missouri Extension ag business specialist. … The more hay you bale, the less you’ll pay in fixed equipment costs per bale.”
