Price for cutting and baling hay

[AZAggie]

I have a friend that is buying a place just about a mile down the road from where I live. I have all of my cutting/baling equipment at the house currently. He is wanting a price to cut and bale 40 acres of grass hay. I'm new to this, so I am not sure what the going rate would be. Any suggestions? I told him I would do it for a portion of the hay, but he's not sure he will have enough to get through the year, so he just wants to pay cash.

 

[Bright Raven]

It goes from $20 to $25 here in Kentucky.

 

[bball]

My second cutting run me $22.80 a bale. You can drive costs down a smidge if you ted and rake for yourself here.

 

[TCRanch]

We pay $30 per acre to swath & bale.

 

[JMJ Farms]

I pay $18-$20 per roll here, depending on who I use. Both bale 4x6 rolls net wrapped.

 

[bird dog]

I pay $24. 4 x 5.5 Net wrapped.

 

[NonTypicalCPA]

I'm paying $35 a roll. Wish it was lower but I've only got 5 acres.

 

[Workinonit Farm]

What size roll are you all quoting prices for? 4x4, 4x5, 5x5? Netwrap or strings?

 

[BC]

Going rate around here is $25 per bale (4 x 5) for turnkey cut, rake and bale with netwrap

 

[TCRanch]

What size roll are you all quoting prices for? 4x4, 4x5, 5x5? Netwrap or strings?

Generally 5x6, average 1200+ lbs, net wrap. Brome, bermuda & prairie (and whatever junk we could scrounge up this year).

 

[Rajela]

Check at the local feed store or equipment dealer about who is custom baling in your area, then call them and ask what they are charging. I charge $20 for a 4x5 roll in SE Okla but across the river in Texas it is more like $22 to $25. so every local is different.

 

[Texasmark]

It's $24 last count 4x6 net wrapped.

 

[shaz]

I'm paying 18 per roll 4x5

 

[AZAggie]

What size roll are you all quoting prices for? 4x4, 4x5, 5x5? Netwrap or strings?

They will be 5x5 net wrapped bales.

 

[AZAggie]

Thanks everyone for the input. You have all been a big help.

 

[chevytaHOE5674]

I charged 17.50 to cut/rake/bale a 4x5 net wrapped 913lbs average weight bale this season.

 

[Jeanne - Simme Valley]

If there is a lot of hay, then YOU make more money charging by the bale. If it is skimpy 2nd cutting, then you make LESS money. My guy charges me by the acres for mowing & raking, and hourly pay for his worker. Then he charges a flat fee for the bales. So, bales are more expensive to me if the field is
Charges:
Mow - $16/ac
rake - $6/ac
bale - $11/bale net wrap hauled to my storage area
So, if I have low yield fields, bales costs me more.

 

[Brute 23]

$25 plus or minus a few bucks

 

[okiek]

I see you too are from OK. In south central OK I'm paying $26 if I get my preferred guy, $30 if I don't.

 

[Texas Gal]

My guy charges $23/bale for net wrapped 4x5.5 bales.