Hay Farmers getting out of farming

[lman]

It looks like wheat is the thing to grow. Record prices.

 

[sea2summit]

Just got soil tests back and for my good field it’s gonna cost $310/acre for the minimum recommend amendments. That one field will cost more to fertilize than I made all last year. Crazy.

 

[japody]

Anyone priced fertilizer lately? I'm afraid to ask my supplier. I know lime is over $100/ton. We put down 100 tons last time so that will have to wait.

 

[Hay Dude]

Anyone priced fertilizer lately? I'm afraid to ask my supplier. I know lime is over $100/ton. We put down 100 tons last time so that will have to wait.

We just cancelled fertilizing a few fields in time before the crazy prices set in.
We used spent mushroom compost and lime. Going to have to find a way through this period.
One of my neighbors farms collects leaves, grinds them up and spreads them on fields. Labor intensive, but an unending supply during the fall and winter.

 

[cat fever]

I'm curious about the old timers selling out and retiring. What are the buyers doing with the land/equipment? My first thought would be farming the land. But maybe not.

As to this thread; I retired then bought 31 acres in Southeast Idaho. I grow hay and I sell everything right out of the field. I do know I'd hate to rely on this for my income. This is more hobby for me because I enjoy doing it. I certainly feel for those who need the income to live.

I hope this year proves to be a better water year than last year. Here's a couple pictures to get you all excited for the coming year.

 

[Rockbadchild]

I'm curious about the old timers selling out and retiring. What are the buyers doing with the land/equipment? My first thought would be farming the land. But maybe not.

As to this thread; I retired then bought 31 acres in Southeast Idaho. I grow hay and I sell everything right out of the field. I do know I'd hate to rely on this for my income. This is more hobby for me because I enjoy doing it. I certainly feel for those who need the income to live.

I hope this year proves to be a better water year than last year. Here's a couple pictures to get you all excited for the coming year.

From what I have seen its either they put their property and equipment for sale in a bundle but the new buyer cant afford the equipment with the property or they are only interested in the property so they sold the equipment separately and its people who already farm who buy it. Their is exceptions since I not a farmer but I do want to buy equipment to make hay. But folks are buying because I tell ya hay equipment doesn't stay for sale for very long unless its old and beat up.

 

[sea2summit]

Anyone priced fertilizer lately? I'm afraid to ask my supplier. I know lime is over $100/ton. We put down 100 tons last time so that will have to wait.

You can’t lime for $100 a ton.

 

[sea2summit]

We just cancelled fertilizing a few fields in time before the crazy prices set in.
We used spent mushroom compost and lime. Going to have to find a way through this period.
One of my neighbors farms collects leaves, grinds them up and spreads them on fields. Labor intensive, but an unending supply during the fall and winter.

But how do you collect the tons of material you’d need? Gonna burn fuel me thinks and that also just broke $5/gal at the local pump

 

[sea2summit]

I'm curious about the old timers selling out and retiring. What are the buyers doing with the land/equipment? My first thought would be farming the land. But maybe not.

As to this thread; I retired then bought 31 acres in Southeast Idaho. I grow hay and I sell everything right out of the field. I do know I'd hate to rely on this for my income. This is more hobby for me because I enjoy doing it. I certainly feel for those who need the income to live.

I hope this year proves to be a better water year than last year. Here's a couple pictures to get you all excited for the coming year.
View attachment 735969View attachment 735970View attachment 735971

Someone bale for you or is that your baby tractor

 

[sea2summit]

From what I have seen its either they put their property and equipment for sale in a bundle but the new buyer cant afford the equipment with the property or they are only interested in the property so they sold the equipment separately and its people who already farm who buy it. Their is exceptions since I not a farmer but I do want to buy equipment to make hay. But folks are buying because I tell ya hay equipment doesn't stay for sale for very long unless its old and beat up.

Well, I think a lot of it is such bad shape you gotta find a sucker to take it for scrap price when they’re getting out of the business as well.

 

[Hay Dude]

But how do you collect the tons of material you’d need? Gonna burn fuel me thinks and that also just broke $5/gal at the local pump

Local Property maintenance companies looking to get rid of leaves come to his farm with vacuum trucks loaded with leaves and dump them in a big open area. He uses them as compost.
As if times weren’t tough enough, now we have to hunker down more.

 

[leonz]

You can’t lime for $100 a ton.

Is it hammer milled lime or hydrated lime? Hammermilled limestone can
be purchased from a limestone quarry if they have a crushing circuit that
uses a rock hammermill to break the minus 1 inch limestone ore.

 

[Hay Dude]

Just picked up 12 more acres. Nice rolling rectangular field. Developer building 4 new homes on it, but now pumping the brakes sensing a recession. I got a one year agreement from them. Not a lot, but near a field I already do, so fairly convenient

 

[JDZ735M]

Just picked up 12 more acres. Nice rolling rectangular field. Developer building 4 new homes on it, but now pumping the brakes sensing a recession. I got a one year agreement from them. Not a lot, but near a field I already do, so fairly convenient

Every little bit helps these days.

 

[jyoutz]

I guess it depends on the type of hay farm operation. In my area, the profit margin on producing hay for winter beef cattle feed is slim. But those operations growing alfalfa for dairy cattle are still profitable, as are those who produce high quality hay for the race horse industry and hobby horse market.

 

[ultrarunner]

Questions of fertilizing hay fields?

On the maternal dairy farm certified organic all the field fertilizer is from the dung heap and cistern...

Very pungent but it's the way it has been done for generations and fields very productive.

I can't remember them ever buying fertilizer...

It's not without issue as some high end customs homes built near one of the fields so complaints have been made but so far farming trump's.

 

[sea2summit]

Questions of fertilizing hay fields?

On the maternal dairy farm certified organic all the field fertilizer is from the dung heap and cistern...

Very pungent but it's the way it has been done for generations and fields very productive.

I can't remember them ever buying fertilizer...

It's not without issue as some high end customs homes built near one of the fields so complaints have been made but so far farming trump's.

Over time if you import nothing, you'll need to bring in some fertilizer to replenish the land or at least lime it. The soil conditions will determine how often you need more, also how much feed you bring in (corn/grain/soy).

 

[Hay Dude]

Questions of fertilizing hay fields?

On the maternal dairy farm certified organic all the field fertilizer is from the dung heap and cistern...

Very pungent but it's the way it has been done for generations and fields very productive.

I can't remember them ever buying fertilizer...

It's not without issue as some high end customs homes built near one of the fields so complaints have been made but so far farming trump's.

I haven’t bought chemical fertilizer in years.
Theres a free supply of effective mushroom compost available to us. As much as you want. Heck, some of the suppliers will even spread it for you for free.
I have also seen a sharp increase in the number of small beef operations and horse owners looking for “close to organic, if not 100% organic“ hay.

In MY area, many customers are getting away from chemicals.

 

[Hay Dude]

I guess it depends on the type of hay farm operation. In my area, the profit margin on producing hay for winter beef cattle feed is slim. But those operations growing alfalfa for dairy cattle are still profitable, as are those who produce high quality hay for the race horse industry and hobby horse market.

I got $200/ton or more all day + loading & delivery on large bales this summer. That will increase this year.

 

[Rockbadchild]

ordered my seeds and fertilizer for my 21 acres parcel I have prep up, I was expecting the worse prices wise, it wasn’t as bad as I imagine, I haven’t got my official bill yet but it’s not bad especially since I will only fertilize the high ground since there is black dirt on low ground… I will be ready for when the snow melt…