Custom haying prices

Eldo case · May 20, 2011

With the cost increase in fuel,equipment and parts what is the going price of haying in your part of the country? Here in Missouri I charged $16.00 to mow rake and round bale 4x6 bales. Looks like I may have to go to $17-$18 this year. What do you think?

M Nut · May 20, 2011

Too cheap. If I could find someone to make my hay for $16 a bale, I wouldn't own $50,000 worth of tractors and machinery and spend my summer in a hayfield. At that price I don't see how you accomplish much more than covering expenses, let alone machinery depreciation and your time. I know I'd be charging $25 or better. I wouldn't bother to start the tractor for less. Located in MN.

Allan in NE · May 20, 2011

Half of the hay crop.

Allan

Eldo case · May 20, 2011

We have guy's baling for $15.00 a bale. The hay sells for $25.00 a bale in the field. That is grass and clover mix. For what I charge it is like pulling teeth. As for shares 60/40 is the only way I will bale. Thanks!

old · May 20, 2011

Last year I sold 6X6 bales to the neighbor for $25 each and to another person for $30 plus $10 to deliverer then since it is 15 miles one way. This year because of fuel prices it looks like it will be around $40 per bale to the neighbor and $45 or 50 to the other person. I also do square bales on the other neighbors place and I get 50% of there hay

dmiller · May 20, 2011

I figured my expenses for this year at $26 per acre. This with an 806 IH tractor,1091 Hesston swather, 336JD baler, Farmall A and hay rake. That expense includes fuel, oil, grease, twine, and a guess on parts.
I charge $45 per acre to make the bales and leave them in the field. I do one place for half the hay.

Mike (WA) · May 20, 2011

Hmmm. . . I bought round bales for $15 last winter- doesn't leave much margin, does it?

Doug in Illinois · May 20, 2011

I base what I charge on the Iowa State University extension office Iowa Farm Custom Rate Survey.

It is current as of March 2011, can be downloaded as a PDF file.

It gives low to high ranges and average.

Using the average, mowing is 10.15 per acre, raking is 5.75 per acre. That equals 15.90 per acre, or just round to 16.00 for easy figuring.

Too many unknowns to give a good answer, I don't know what your bales weigh or how good the hay is tonnage wise. But assuming good hay that will make 2 bales per acre, that brings the cost per bale to 8.00 for cutting and raking.

Round bale string wrap is 9.95 Average. Net wrap is 11.20 average. So let's just assume 10.00 for baling and 8.00 to cut and rake. You are at $18.00.

I price all my custom work by each operation. You can't mow and rake hay that is like 6 inches tall and make any money doing it by the bale. But if they want to pay me by the acre to get the thin stuff that is fine by me.

Baling is where my money is made, but I have to do the rest to have hay to bale. DOUG

Anonymous-0 · May 20, 2011

amen brother-I would charge 12-15 just to bale the hay

kyplowboy · May 20, 2011

Hush!!! Not every one needs to know that!

I got a guy up the road that sowed down his whole farm a few years ago. He sells big, tight, net wrap round bales with alot of clover in it and brags about the money he's make'n. Last year he upped the price to $25. Lets say he gets a great first and second cutting and gets 6 bale an acre a summer. That's $150/acre before iron, fert/lime, fuel, and time. Good thing his farm is paid for. I can buy hay from him, haul it here and feed it alot cheaper than I can roll it myself here. When you figure the cost of fert. now, his hay is worth more in pies than in the bales.

Dave

Tom-TX · May 21, 2011

Around here in North Central TX, the custom guys are getting from 20 to 24 dollars to cut, rake, bale, leave in field. Thats 4 X 5 round bales, string or net wrapped. My neighbor does mine for half the hay. Dont know about small square bales this year, but last year cut rake bale for 1 dollar to 1.25 per bale leave in field. Tom

Bill in Colo · May 21, 2011

Cut rake and bale any type bale, $36 to @38 Two ton mim. I guessing at stacking rates of .33 to .40 cents per bale 3 mile haul for small bales. Not much custom stacking anymore as most who use smallbales haves their own selfpropells.

Custom haying prices

Eldo case

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M Nut

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Allan in NE

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Eldo case

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old

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dmiller

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Mike (WA)

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Doug in Illinois

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Anonymous-0

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kyplowboy

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Tom-TX

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Bill in Colo

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