Getting in to haying?

OKState 1177 · Aug 14, 2015

It is becoming more difficult to find a dependable person to get our hay bailed in a timely manner. So much so that the person who committed this year backed out at the last minute leaving me in a little bit of a bind. I have about 55 acres I can bale which will produce enough for my cattle. I would only need 125-150 4x5 bales per year.

The one issue making me hesitate is my largest tractor is a JD 5325 w/cab. I've decided that a Vermeer 5410 would be a good match and allow net wrap. I don't know if it would run a 7'-8' mower at a decent pace though.

I'm figuring with decent used equipment (baler, mower & rake) I would be in it 17-20k. This year is out of the question so it would be for next year.

I'm i crazy for wanting to do this myself?

cat fever · Aug 15, 2015

OKState 1177 said:
It is becoming more difficult to find a dependable person to get our hay bailed in a timely manner. So much so that the person who committed this year backed out at the last minute leaving me in a little bit of a bind. I have about 55 acres I can bale which will produce enough for my cattle. I would only need 125-150 4x5 bales per year.

The one issue making me hesitate is my largest tractor is a JD 5325 w/cab. I've decided that a Vermeer 5410 would be a good match and allow net wrap. I don't know if it would run a 7'-8' mower at a decent pace though.

I'm figuring with decent used equipment (baler, mower & rake) I would be in it 17-20k. This year is out of the question so it would be for next year.

I'm i crazy for wanting to do this myself?

I don't think so. There have been a few thread's just like this one. There are several things to consider and only you can answer them. I was in a similar position as you last year. I had no equipment at all. I now have everything I need. (except rake and seeder) and am very happy with my decision to get into haying.

Here's a little something to wet your appetite.

MattLynch · Aug 15, 2015

Going to be a lot more expensive to run your own gear, but if you can't buy hay or find anyone to make it what choice do you have? I am in the same situation, very hard to find someone to bale/wrap for me, guy backed out at last minute this spring. Luckily someone came through and baled and wrapped my 512 bales and then I buy another 350 from my neighbour.
I think you need to be making 1000+ bales per year for equipment to come close to breaking even. If you only need 150 bales per year wouldn't you be better off just to buy hay?

whis · Aug 15, 2015

if its just a disc mower you will be fine with what you have, with conditioner maybe not. buy a good baler, you can get new mower for 5-7 thousand ( fella, farm king ). there not name brand but will cut 55 acres for many years. same with a rake. put your money in a baler

Lawnman TX · Aug 15, 2015

Keep your eye out for a Vermeer tm700 or to 800

Easy mower to run on a smaller tractor and you pull instead of carry it

RPW · Aug 16, 2015

I started haying about 4 years ago. Pretty much started from scratch as the fields hadn't been worked in about 20 years. Started purchasing equipment about 3 years ago a little bit at a time. It's all older equipment except for the tractor which I bought new in 2008. Baler is a Vermeer 605C which I picked up for a $1000, a sidebar rake for $250, and a JD sicklebar mower for $900. All required some wrench turning from mild to major. This year is the first that I was able to get enough hay off of 16 acres to feed my horses for the winter. A total of 28 6x5 bales. Doesn't sound like much but with the rains we got in May/June that laid most of my hay down to the ground was still able to get 19 the first of July. Then the spigot was turned off and no rain for 47 days (Will beat that tomorrow for the all time record) but was able to get another 9 this last week. Hopefully next year will be better.

As far as you getting into it? Well....... you most likely will never make a profit on your hay unless you don't have any animals. So buy your equipment wisely and be ready to do your own maintenance if you can and above all please be safe.

Good luck.

MMagis · Aug 17, 2015

I did the same as RPW. I bought used equipment, though I “splurged” and bought a NH 488 haybine for $1700. This is my opinion only, but the extra you’ll pay for any mower other than a sickle bar is worth it. I’ve run my 9’ haybine with my old Ford 3000 in hilly terrain with no problem, so you’ll have no issue at all with your tractor, especially if it’s flat where you are.
If I could find someone to bale mine, I’d much prefer that route. But it’s nearly impossible to find anyone here. If you attend farm auctions, and are willing/able to fix things when they break, you can spend less on hay equipment than you’d have in a few years worth of buying hay.

MH8675309 · Aug 17, 2015

"This is my opinion only, but the extra you’ll pay for any mower other than a sickle bar is worth it." Yep!

KubotaToy · Aug 17, 2015

I was in a similar situation several years ago with 40 acres of hay but I needed square bales. I thought how hard can cutting a little hay be, so I bought a used JD336 bailer, new disc mower and used rake. Sold everything four years later after seeing it cost me about $1 per bail more for the privilege of doing all the work myself vice just leasing the hay field and buying hay from a large producer. Remember your time is worth something and haying is a hot thankless job when something breaks when you need it most.

It was new and fun the first year, became work the second, pure torchure after one of the hotest summers ever (open cab tractor), then I sold all the equipment for a loss. Folks who do hay for living are better people than me. I am glad I tried it but would not do it agian unless it is the only way to make living.

So, the moral of this story is look for someone like me and you will get a good deal on hay equipment.

foreman Etexas · Aug 17, 2015

I had to do the same and glad I did but its work. I used 46pto HP and a 7'11 Vicon to cut with and it run it fine. Now the REBEL 5410 there is a couple things to look for when buying,cause there are some low bale ones out there for a reason and mine was almost one but I hung in and got it right but barely:laughing: Gator splices are a must on the belts and make sure it has the hay wedges installed,thats a must or you will be on blood pressure meds pretty quick. Run the Vermeer net wrap and you will never have to adjust from start to finish,try to use any other and it probably wont turn out well. Mine is fine now but I had to go threw some headaches to get the bugs worked out,you have any questions let me know. It will be a fine baler for what your doing, I am doing up to 500 a year with mine.