I met with our Custom Baler this morning to discuss rates for this year since we will be cutting the MaxQ in about a month. Below is what the rates will be this year:
5' x 4' rounds (average 850 lb) -
$15 - If he cuts, tedders, rakes and bales (last year he was at $12 per roll)
$12 - If he custs & bales, I tedder & rake
Small squares (average 50 lb) -
$1.50 - If he cuts, tedders, rakes and bales
$1 - If he custs & bales, I tedder & rake
For the difference in rates, I will pay the extra and let him do it all. His fuel, tractors, equipment and supplies. This gentleman is a neighbor about a mile the way the crow flies and really cares about the hay. He stops by a couple of times a week in the 2 or 3 weeks leading up to the haying just to check the field to determine when it's the correct time to cut.
I still have enough hay in the barn to get me thru next winter. So I am thinking about having 1/2 of my hay baled in small squares to sell to the horse folks.