Yeah, that was our rate for family and close friends. We also had a neighbor who we only charge 2 cents a bale since he was as old as dirt and his bales only weighed about 30 pounds. We could carry two at a time and throw them one handed so it wasn't much work.I remember getting paid 0, but my family fed me and gave me a bed to sleep in.
Gotta crank up the plunger/pressure!
Well, since he was in his 80s that is all he could carry. He still ran a farm and got around fine. It was funny that dad expected us to do the work for free but he insisted on paying us. He thought 2 cents was plenty expensive but he wife would bring us fresh lemonade and feed us lunch so we couldn't complain. That was also my first "real" job at 9 or 10 driving the tractor and being paid a penny a bale. That was a lot of money for me at the time.
How much acreage does it take to get 1000 tons? Never had to work on a farm, but did have to work in the family business of hauling finished milk products to stores. Started at age 16 when he bought the business, summers and after school. Even had to bobtail the semi tractors over the road before I was 18. In college, I worked some weekends and between school breaks and engineering coop.
Depends on a lot of things, this year we’re seeing about 2 tons/acre per cut and we missed having a good first cut so probably only get two this year. Hopefully about 3.5 ton/acre with the two cuts.
Our acreage and number of cuts varies each year, but over 400 acres generally speaking
Do you think raising hay is a dying trade or business? I was in a coop setup for four years with small square bales for horses. I left if not because it was a dying business for ours was growing and it still is for my previous partners. No doubt it is sensitive to other agriculture business that raise livestock. Here it is as other farming operations, bigger operations with bigger equipment. No idea how well it is doing but China was buying US hay at least three years ago. Amazed me.
Dying in the sense that few young people want to do it and profits are not that great. It’s not a “push button” business and you have to be willing to work 7 days a week, too. I make 750-1000 tons a year and still have to do other work to supplement income.
Know what you mean about big timers. I'm running a 1970,s MF 265, have a NH 489 swather, a 'newer' Kvernland TA 711 belt rake, and a NH 273 baler (with a sister 273 for back up). They are all running on a wing and a prayer, baling wire, and duct tape. I only have about 10 acres so all is good enough for 600 (?) idiot cubes a year. Have only been "farming" for maybe 8 yrs, and just can't justify newer equipment or an air conditioner tractor (other than the faster you go, the more breeze you get type). We usually hire 2 young guys to pick and stack, but not the last cut, or the one drying in the field now. (Guess it's me and the wife this cut). I'm only 64, and hope to be off the place before my next knee gives out. Will see how that turns out
All depends on how much hay you make. I just hit 600 tons with a few hundred more to go. Spend 100 days in tractors and you’ll want AC for sure.
