Custom haying - how much to charge?

[NonTypicalCPA]

I’m having a local farmer cut, rake, and bale 5 acres of my parents property. He is charging $35 a round bale (4x5) and I am curious if that is reasonable?

 

[HDRider]

I pay $15

You can buy good hay here for $35 to $40

 

[skyhightree1]

I hate haying so much that id be willing to pay 50.00 bale not to have to do it.

 

[1982vett]

$35 sounds high but it is only 5 acres.....

No way would I crank the tractor fo $15

 

[Hogtiming]

28-32 is the going rate here and that’s for 5x5.5-6. 4x5 is 23-25. Prices vary depending on teddin.

 

[NonTypicalCPA]

I thought it was a bit much, but messing with only 5 acres has to bring a premium. It jumped $10 a bale over last year. Might have to shop around.

 

[Brute 23]

If he is good and treats you right.. Yes, it is. If you don't believe me go buy the equipment and do it yourself or go through the hassle of buying hay. You will pay more than some one who cuts 300 bales because he has to move all the equipment in and get rigged up for so few bales. There are people who bale who charge a minimum, as they should.

I pay 28$ for big, string wrapped, bales and he usually gets to me with in a week or so of calling. He jumps on it no matter if its a going to be a good cutting or not.

 

[True Grit Farms]

It really depends on how many rolls he cuts. You can't run equipment for less than $50 dollars a hour. A 10 acre field takes me 12+ hours to cut, tedder, rake and bale. My time, fuel and equipment has to be worth $50 dollars a hour minimum? I bought a 100 rolls of peanut hay, and 50 rolls of year old barn stored Tif 85 horse hay for a lot less than what he's charging you per bale. But I have to haul it 40 miles with my truck and trailer.

 

[MtnCows93]

seems way high to me but i guess it depends on your area, here i can buy 4x4 rolls $15, 5x4 $25 and some farmers will cut it on halves if you fertilize it, i only make small squares and sell all i can $3.50 a bale and take that money and buy rounds

 

[snoopdog]

That sounds a little high , but as mentioned small fields bring a premium for custom work. Especially if it's not fertilized , moving and setting up equipment isn't fun , a guy has to make a living .

 

[kenny thomas]

Good 4x5 hay is $25 here. If you can just graze it and buy your hay.

 

[chevytaHOE5674]

I do a lot of custom baling 4x5 net wrapped bales and if I could charge 35 a bale Id be rich... lol.

Look at the MSU extension custom farming rate sheet the state high price was like 30 a bale and the low was 10 a bale in 2017 iirc.

 

[sstterry]

I hate haying so much that id be willing to pay 50.00 bale not to have to do it.

Let me load my equipment and I will be right there.....

 

[ddd75]

i wouldn't even do your field because I wouldn't feel like bringing over everything for that much.

 

[True Grit Farms]

i wouldn't even do your field because I wouldn't feel like bringing over everything for that much.

Might be why the price is $35 a roll.

 

[Farm Fence Solutions]

If he did a good job last year at $25/bale, I would imagine that he had more work than he wanted or could handle. The easiest way (used to work, anyhow) to lighten your load is to raise prices. Inputs are up quite a bit over last year, and we all know what it's like to find hired help. If he keeps doing a great job for less than he should be charging, it won't take long to have everyone in the neighborhood pizzed off because he's overbooked, and that sure ain't worth the headache.

 

[NonTypicalCPA]

This guy is retired and puts up hay on his farm and any farm he can get in the area, including mine that is only 3 road miles away. Mostly does squares for the horse people. Obviously I can't justify the cost of equipment to do it myself and it's worth $35/bale to me - I think. The price jump reflects the drought in our area last year that saw all hay inventory disappear, so he's capitalizing on it.

 

[True Grit Farms]

This guy is retired and puts up hay on his farm and any farm he can get in the area, including mine that is only 3 road miles away. Mostly does squares for the horse people. Obviously I can't justify the cost of equipment to do it myself and it's worth $35/bale to me - I think. The price jump reflects the drought in our area last year that saw all hay inventory disappear, so he's capitalizing on it.

How many rolls of hay is your acres going to produce?

 

[ClinchValley]

Good 4x5 hay is $25 here. If you can just graze it and buy your hay.

This

 

[NonTypicalCPA]

This guy is retired and puts up hay on his farm and any farm he can get in the area, including mine that is only 3 road miles away. Mostly does squares for the horse people. Obviously I can't justify the cost of equipment to do it myself and it's worth $35/bale to me - I think. The price jump reflects the drought in our area last year that saw all hay inventory disappear, so he's capitalizing on it.

How many rolls of hay is your acres going to produce?

I got 23 plus a partial this first cutting.