Burning hay

[MurraysMutts]

This happened yesterday.
I'm pretty hacked off about it. It's just unbelievable when it actually happens to you. Fortunately I've only 6 cow and a bull to feed this winter. But I've only got 2 bales saved at the other place. The guy that started the "controlled burn" in his burn pit 2 days ago, says he will take care of me. We will see, I guess.
Over 80 rolls up in smoke. It'll be burning for a few days still. With my hay reserves, I had planned on buying a bunch of bred cows to hold thru winter and sell late spring.


It also got 2 of his grow houses. He's much worse off than me thru this mess. Those buildings were 22k each before furnishing and setting up/finishing out.

What a damn mess!!

 

[SBMF 2015]

That's horrible!
I'd make sure to find out if he had insurance and if so I'd be contacting them directly.

 

[gcreekrch]

And your lawyer.

 

[Mark Reynolds]

Document, document, document! This includes conversations, dates, contacts for hay sources, emergency personnel..... Contact FSA as they may be able to give you a 'true' value. Get any remaining hay tested for nutritional value, if there is any. You don't want this hay replaced with 'junk'.

 

[farmerjan]

In a case like this @MurraysMutts I totally agree with @gcreekrch ... a lawyer is necessary. Lots of pictures, and the situation... and everything that @Mark Reynolds said... documentation on all of it. I don't know if I would scream and cuss or just sit and cry.... So sorry for you. I guess that it is good that it was "ONLY" your hay... nothing else right?

 

[Mark Reynolds]

@MurraysMutts, go get a sample of the not burnt hay right now as you said it will take a couple days to burn up completely! see my prior post on this thread.

 

[Mark Reynolds]

In a case like this @MurraysMutts I totally agree with @gcreekrch ... a lawyer is necessary. Lots of pictures, and the situation... and everything that @Mark Reynolds said... documentation on all of it. I don't know if I would scream and cuss or just sit and cry.... So sorry for you. I guess that it is good that it was "ONLY" your hay... nothing else right?

There will be time for screaming, cussing and crying later. Right now I think action might be more appropriate, but definitely the 3 you mentioned at some point.

 

[MurraysMutts]

Appreciate the advice guys n gals!

This guy is a bit different. Ain't we all??
He's gonna pay cash. Being a grow facility they deal a lot in cash. He's already asked me what I would like him to do...
I'll hope that he's a man of his word for now. Before going any other route.

The hay testing ain't gonna happen unfortunately. I did take as many pictures as possible with a big fire going on. Took a good inventory. I keep good inventory on hay anyway.

Gonna give it a few days here. Waiting on a report from fire department etc.

@farmerjan I was pretty upset for a while there. Angry. And then sit and cry I think in that order.

O!! It did burn about a 1/4 of that 20 acres. Kinda wish they'd a let it all burn. The thistle in that spot has been a fight.

 

[farmerjan]

Well, you need to figure the cost to replace the hay, and not junk hay either like was mentioned. Even if you don't replace it all... the value of it is imperative. Even if you don't go on and buy any cows... Hay is like money in the bank for us... it's a cushion against a bad winter, and the drought conditions..... so many other things.
Don't short change the value of it. Not saying you have to gouge him, but it is worth quite a bit to you and your winter weather uncertainties, and future plans, regardless...

 

[puzzled in oregon]

"Gouge Him" Murray. Gouge him good, so you, Bessie and the Little Margarita Goat can live happily ever after.

 

[MurraysMutts]

Well, you need to figure the cost to replace the hay, and not junk hay either like was mentioned. Even if you don't replace it all... the value of it is imperative. Even if you don't go on and buy any cows... Hay is like money in the bank for us... it's a cushion against a bad winter, and the drought conditions..... so many other things.
Don't short change the value of it. Not saying you have to gouge him, but it is worth quite a bit to you and your winter weather uncertainties, and future plans, regardless...

I agree totally Jan.
Transportation cost is a big part of hay cost and availability. (And I don't want to have to transport it if possible. Already did that one time this year!) I don't wanna gouge the guy. Just want enough money to replace the hay with comparable hay.

I'll talk with him about all that next week sometime. I know he's got a lot on his plate now. Ain't much we can do over the weekend and waiting on that dang report.

Is hay loss tax deductible??

 

[GoWyo]

I agree totally Jan.
Transportation cost is a big part of hay cost and availability. (And I don't want to have to transport it if possible. Already did that one time this year!) I don't wanna gouge the guy. Just want enough money to replace the hay with comparable hay.

I'll talk with him about all that next week sometime. I know he's got a lot on his plate now. Ain't much we can do over the weekend and waiting on that dang report.

Is hay loss tax deductible??

He has to make you whole. That means replacing the value of the hay, including transportation costs. Looks like a little over 2 semi loads.

 

[bird dog]

It also may be covered on your home owners insurance. I know it is if you have a farm policy. Call your insurance person first thing on Monday.

 

[Dave]

O!! It did burn about a 1/4 of that 20 acres. Kinda wish they'd a let it all burn. The thistle in that spot has been a fight.

I could post pictures where everything burned except the thistles. I don't have a lot of faith in them burning anymore.

 

[BC]

It also may be covered on your home owners insurance. I know it is if you have a farm policy. Call your insurance person first thing on Monday.

Only if you list it on the inventory.

 

[Mark Reynolds]

Appreciate the advice guys n gals!

This guy is a bit different. Ain't we all??
He's gonna pay cash. Being a grow facility they deal a lot in cash. He's already asked me what I would like him to do...
I'll hope that he's a man of his word for now. Before going any other route.

The hay testing ain't gonna happen unfortunately. I did take as many pictures as possible with a big fire going on. Took a good inventory. I keep good inventory on hay anyway.

Gonna give it a few days here. Waiting on a report from fire department etc.

@farmerjan I was pretty upset for a while there. Angry. And then sit and cry I think in that order.

O!! It did burn about a 1/4 of that 20 acres. Kinda wish they'd a let it all burn. The thistle in that spot has been a fight.

I understand about the hay testing. That is pretty much what I expected, but I put the testing out there in case it was possible. If he is going to pay you in cash, I'd go ahead and find replacement hay now and let him know that is what you are going to get, and get the replacement immediately, even though you don't need it immediately. This will have the issue addressed in case the cost of hay increases (it will as we all know) and it will get your neighbor to settle up before he gets cold feet. I suspect it will be better for everyone if you do it sooner rather than later.

 

[Double R Ranch]

Really sorry to read this @MurraysMutts. We know how you feel. Had a fire last year as you probably remember from the nurse cow thread. Lost most all our winter pasture and dairy cow pastures. Of course we got nothing out of it except a HUGE load of expenses/repairs and the power company laughing all the way to the bank. Didn't see a dime. Still buying hay where we shouldn't be due to the pastures not growing back this year. Power company said sue us and denied our claim. Even with their inspector admitting to us that night that it was their faulty equipment that caused it. "That inspector didn't have the right to say that." Can't file a claim on insurance either or loose our required insurance. I hope you get your hay replaced quickly. If there's anyway we all can help I know us as well as others on the forum will do what we can.

 

[puzzled in oregon]

Hopefully he comes through for you. He would probably prefer not to draw lot of attention to his business, just work things out with you and move forward.

 

[Allenw]

That sucks, looks like it got a little close.

 

[TCRanch]

Holy cow, Murray! That sucks and I'm so sorry!