New to the hay game

Steppenwolfe · Jan 31, 2020

Hey guys, we just bought a farm property that has about 30 open acres of prime farmland currently in orchard grass. I am not a farmer. We bought the property because it also has 25 acres of nice woods and a 1900 brick farmhouse. I am a General Contractor and want to renovate the house and enjoy the country life. I am hoping to find someone who will take the hay off. What should I be looking for? And what are the pro's and con's? Thanks for any help.

Farmer495 · Feb 1, 2020

Was the land used by the previous owner? If not, you may already have the person using before wanting to stay on it.

If it's just marginal land, you might be fortunate just to having someone cut and bale it for free to save you the hassle of cutting it yourself.

If it's really good hayland, you could always charge per bale, example $5 for every round bale made, the doing all the work and machinery ownership has the biggest $$$ into any haying operation.

Hay Dude · Feb 3, 2020

Is there a healthy barn on the property?

Steppenwolfe · Feb 3, 2020

Farmer495 said:
Was the land used by the previous owner? If not, you may already have the person using before wanting to stay on it.

If it's just marginal land, you might be fortunate just to having someone cut and bale it for free to save you the hassle of cutting it yourself.

If it's really good hayland, you could always charge per bale, example $5 for every round bale made, the doing all the work and machinery ownership has the biggest $$$ into any haying operation.

Supposedly it was in hay production till the owner died 2 years ago, then went uncut. My son and I just spent 3 days bush hogging 30 acres of 18 inch tall dormant grasses and I guess some weeds. It is classified as prime farmland by the US Soil Survey. This land has been in various production for probably the better part of 200 years, mostly in tobacco. I have a friend of a friend coming by tomorrow to look at cutting the hay.

Steppenwolfe · Feb 3, 2020

Hay Dude said:
Is there a healthy barn on the property?

No... Not adequate for hay. Are you in the Delaware Valley of PA?

Hay Dude · Feb 3, 2020

Steppenwolfe said:
No... Not adequate for hay. Are you in the Delaware Valley of PA?

Yes, know the area?

Farmer495 · Feb 4, 2020

Steppenwolfe said:
Supposedly it was in hay production till the owner died 2 years ago, then went uncut. My son and I just spent 3 days bush hogging 30 acres of 18 inch tall dormant grasses and I guess some weeds. It is classified as prime farmland by the US Soil Survey. This land has been in various production for probably the better part of 200 years, mostly in tobacco. I have a friend of a friend coming by tomorrow to look at cutting the hay.

Sounds promising, if it's good productive hay land you might be able to do shares and make some $ an no effort.

Steppenwolfe · Feb 4, 2020

Hay Dude said:
Yes, know the area?

Oh yeah... Wifey and I went to DVC in Doylestown. We visit quite often and have a son in Lancaster.
And I see we have the same Kubota zero turn.

Steppenwolfe · Feb 4, 2020

Farmer495 said:
Sounds promising, if it's good productive hay land you might be able to do shares and make some $ an no effort.

Honestly, I'm not interested in shares or making extra $ off it. I just want someone to keep it in good shape so I don't have to keep bush hogging it 2 or 3 times a year.

ovrszd · Feb 4, 2020

Farmer495 said:
Sounds promising, if it's good productive hay land you might be able to do shares and make some $ an no effort.

Yep. My guy does mine on shares. He does all the work and I get 50% of the hay. Then he buys my 50% at current market value.

Keeps the fields clean and I don't have to mess with it.