I'm looking at buying a hay farm. It has 100 acres, but only 40 are in Hay. I am trying to do a rough figure on costs and sales to see if it will work. For equipment, there is a New Holland Square Baler, Round Baler and Disc mower, but they are not for sale. Any one have any ideas as to what I should use as equipment costs going in and sales per acre coming out? I only need a small profit coming off the land as it will be my retirement home. Thanks.
Looking at a Hay Farm
- Thread starter bvahjen
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Tx Jim
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It would be a big help for you to state where this land is located & type of hay??
smstonypoint
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The agricultural economics departments at many of the land-grant universities publish hay enterprise budgets that can be modified as needed to reflect individual circumstances. Post your location and I will help you track down that info.
Steve
Steve
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powerscol
Veteran Member
Keep dreaming and looking for equipment. Tractor - 40 to 50 PTO HP min. Look for estate sales or hook up with a good local dealer to keep an eye out. Depending where you live 4x4 is good as they have more weight up front. Get a loader with the unit with quick attach. You will also want at least one set of remote hydraulics, two is better out back with one set up front. Baler - get a good one - you pay for what you get. Cutting option are open. Sickle mower (old School and a pain, then there are drum and disk mowers. You may need a tedder depending on you location. Also there are many rake option too depending on you field conditions. What what the neighbor uses and tag along and watch the operation, especially the drying.
You local state or federal AGG service should be able to help too and look up you local SBA as they will have folks that can walk you through how to set up a business down the road. They will also have information on you local market as far as bale size and type (big square/small square/round....etc.)
Keith - hope this helps
You local state or federal AGG service should be able to help too and look up you local SBA as they will have folks that can walk you through how to set up a business down the road. They will also have information on you local market as far as bale size and type (big square/small square/round....etc.)
Keith - hope this helps
aczlan
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Where you live.
We need one here in NY to fluff up the hay and help stir up the bottom hay so it all dries.
With that and good weather, we can cut on day one, tedd later that day, tedd again on day two, then roll it into windrows and bale it on day 3.
Where a tedder earns its keep is if it gets rained on and we want to bale it to get it out of the field (even if we have to sell it for mulch).
Aaron Z
We need one here in NY to fluff up the hay and help stir up the bottom hay so it all dries.
With that and good weather, we can cut on day one, tedd later that day, tedd again on day two, then roll it into windrows and bale it on day 3.
Where a tedder earns its keep is if it gets rained on and we want to bale it to get it out of the field (even if we have to sell it for mulch).
Aaron Z