Cost of Haying 2022

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On the final day of haying, as the last bale rolls out, we take a look at how much it costs to put up hay on the ranch.
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[@territn8871]

Thank the dear Lord for the rain, snow, and good weather that you've had to make haying possible this year!!!🙏 I'm so happy you've got hay that came from your land and you didn't have to buy it. It's certainly a blessing!

[@armandgun]

Great video, I’ve been curious on a few things with valuing haying on this scale. I do think you are undervaluing your cost of putting up the hay quite considerably, or at least not factoring them into why it costs so much to buy it from someone else who makes hay purely to sell. 1) valuing your land: regardless of whether you own or rent your land, you should be applying the value per acre and tying it in with the costs. You can use the same ratio you do for allocating expenses to individual implements/tractors if you use the land for other purposes etc. If you own the land there are still taxes and the opportunity cost of not renting it to someone else. 2) valuing the usage of your equipment. Even if the equipment is paid off it doesn’t run forever, and eventually needs to be replaced. There should be a cost per usage hour associated with each piece of machinery, calculated against its estimated lifespan minus salvage value. Or if you have payments it or lease those are different ways to do it. 3) ranch overhead. You have accounting fees, taxes and all the other things that get lumped into running your ranch. This would include valuing the storage of your equipment too. I can appreciate that putting up hay still saves you a lot, freight expense being obvious, but if you really want to dig into the numbers, factoring those things in would make $250/ton seem a little less like highway robbery.

[@tinkwilkinson9446]

Don't forget profit

[@spencerfarnik2838]

Also fertilizer. Every time you take hay off you deplete the soil of nutrients. You can’t just hay year after year without putting down some fertilizer or the quality and quantity of the grass that will grow will suffer greatly no matter how much rain you get.

[@skiphelton1560]

Well stated, your exactly correct, you need to figure on having to replace equipment at some point. Mike mentioned looking into a swather, he had better have a master plan in place to purchase that machine. I do a small acreage of hay some straight alfalfa and the rest a nice horse mix. I fertilized 7 acres of alfalfa last fall and that cost just over $1450 just for the fertilizer. So to offset that cost I need to add that to what I expecte to bale from that field. Of course weather always plays a big part in the hay business. I do small square bales and do it the old way, hand labor, and I pay my hay help $20 an hour when I can even get someone willing to do the work. I would love to go totally mechanical but until I have a building to accommodate that it will remain the sweaty hard way.

[@grangercreek7261]

Spot on, definitely not as lopsided as one was led to believe.

[@peterzweck1763]

It's always hard to quantify so many costs in farming and I too think he has underestimated his costs...but it says something when Mike says "the ranch looks after itself...youtube pays my wage". And that's great! He's found a way to use his great media skills to vertically integrate and value add to the ranch operation which is what we all try to do. But what Mike actually said there is the ranch does not make a profit in and of itself and can't even pay for the labor he puts into it. At the moment it seems to only pay its way by creating media content. That's a bit scary for the future of farming.

[@inglis7086]

I am so please Mother Nature was kind to you and the ranch this year - may that continue into the winter with the right amount of snow at the right time so the hay you harvested lasts the winter months and calving

[@jamizimmerman8501]

Well done Mike and Family ( Jeff included). Lucky 21 ( days) was worth the blood, sweat, and tears. Way to make it happen with all the cutting and baling this year. Thanks for sharing with us and taking us along. 👍😃

[@paf950]

Boy, I bet being able to make all those bales really took a load off your mind. Glad to see it.

[@OurWyomingLife]

No doubt! Thanks for watching Pamela

[@storiesinstones]

So very happy for you! It really takes a lot of stress out of your life right now. You have been through a lot.

[@cadenlear4644]

No better feeling than having all the hay for the year! Now you get to stack 😆🤠

[@memphissommers4171]

Greetings, from Las Vegas, Mike and family! Congratulations on bringing in this cutting and thank you for having us along through it all. From all of us here in Vegas, thanks again for ALL you and your amazing family do for this great nation. We are indebted forever!

[@smokeylovesfire1589]

I think your best video yet. Been wanting to know how a round baler worked and you showed us with your camera’s! I did not need the music though. The “music” of the engine and the baler was enough. Maybe better headlights thought! The spreadsheet was fabulous information too. There was one big expense not there and that was the cost of all the machinery it took to do this work. Maybe that would be on a total farm expense. Loved seeing the “fire” wake-up the eastern Wyoming sky!

[@bonniemccullough2102]

So very happy for you all. ❤

[@CowGirlKat8691]

My granddaughter has been 'driving' the windrow [same as yours] all by herself at the ranch in ND she's 4 & her mom said she never complained of the long hours & actually had learned to keep between the windrows & not get distracted! Her face was pretty serious looking. Mom told her they only had to windrow to the 'tree' and they'd be done! It was after dark but she was pretty excited when they got to that tree! I saw a couple videos she made & it brought back memories of standing on the floor of g'pa's 70 JD driving through the hay & straw fields so my cousins, uncles g'pa & father could buck the bales. I was 5 when I started so Elsie has me beat! It's good to see that haying is done for y'all! Can y'all believe it was 90 at 9:30am Monday & 71 at 9:30 this morning [20th]! Such is Wyoming!

[@bornicks2]

I think it's illegal. The minimum age is 18.

[@oldladyfarmer7211]

You have all worked so hard and I'm very happy things worked out well. You're in my prayers and now that haying is done, I pray you will get rain and an easy winter.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you, and we appreciate the thoughts.

[@valfrasier39]

I'm so happy for you! Thanks for taking us along for the haying process and the financial breakdown. Mike and Erin, you both work so hard and I love that you are teaching people where their food comes from. And what it takes to get the food to people. I'd also like to say Jeff, you are truly a blessing to the ranch.

[@missmix48]

I am so glad you were able to do your own haying.

[@buckinbullfinance6192]

GREAT JOB MIKE, FAMILY AND CREW

[@dianewiley8005]

Great job. You all worked so hard to make haying 2022 a success. I love how you broke it down. Many farmers don’t do that. Spreadsheets are a way of life. You live and die by them. You and Jeff have a nice cold drink. Cheers.

[@stevengullison5123]

Good afternoon guys, very Interesting, nice to see you guys get a break. Steve from N.B Canada

[@markhoene9984]

love these kind of shows.

[@cynthiavanderscoff]

I’m thrilled about the amount of hay you were able to bale!’

[@OurWyomingLife]

So were we!

[@joesephburgio3438]

Such good news Mike, so glad. Prayers answered!! We all wanted everything to work out!! Great job!!!

[@vivianlawrence8235]

Congratulations on the hay! Hope next year is just as good.

[@OurWyomingLife]

I hope so too! Thanks for watching Vivian

[@Tomhohenadel]

Amazing Mike. Glad to see you finish up this massive project

[@OurWyomingLife]

You and me both!

[@deblarsen8528]

@@OurWyomingLife Mike... we are ALL breathing a BIG sigh of relief that the 2022 baling season is all wrapped up at your Ranch!! 😊👌👍

[@beverlygiroux2824]

I never did like math…so glad you did it all! I am impressed, and so happy the season for haying is nearly finished. Now, I can’t wait to see it all brought together and stacked up. Great Job! Bev in Maine

[@meghamilton9234]

I couldn’t have said it any better, Thanks Bev in Maine. On my bucket list to come visit your lovely state some day 🇽🇰 (I believe that’s the correct flag, it’s so small, it’s hard to see)🦀🦞🐟🐠🐡

[@garyb4929]

Glad to see you did harvest hay this year.

[@randallkerns2127]

Great seasons Mike!!!!! Jeff you were awesome helping out!!!!!

[@MaryAGray-jj9tp]

I am so happy for you guys! It was incredibly interesting watching this entire haying process and then dissecting the costs. What an education we got! I hope your massive effort (and Jeff’s) makes you feel so proud and eager for what the future may hold. Thanks for sharing a job well done!

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thanks so much Mary. Haying is a group effort, and behind the scenes a lot happens. Thanks for watching.

[@geraldfinley2019]

Fc

[@sb4759]

You have worked so hard all this past year with all the challenges you have faced. I pray you have all you need this winter and God is extra good to you. Your an asset to many, your family, your community, your friends, your associates, and us out here in YT land. Much appreciated for it all, Mike! Praying for good success and health to your family . Glenda

[@Freedom-nu7he]

Mike I am so happy for you guys!! You really needed it this year hope the best for you and the family!!

[@bettysumey1456]

So excited that this hay season has saved the ranch so much. May God continue to bless you and your family!!!

[@billwhitman1529]

My favorite job on the farm is making good quality hay. I'm not sure of how your humidity affects your hay and moisture but here in Indiana, any hay made below 19% and above 12% moisture has good potential. But then again, we are higher humidity. Thanks for this series. Just an afterthought, you really should idle down your baling tractor when you get off the tractor. Saves fuel and of course you know not to run your baler to much empty.

[@monicawilder9411]

Very interesting video! Congratulations on your last day of hay season! Loved the spread sheet concept, too! Sounds like you did very good this year on saving your ranch some money!! Thank you so much for inviting us along🇺🇸👍

[@OurWyomingLife]

Glad you like it. Thanks for watching.

[@evelynmueller6523]

Congratulations Mike on a successful harvest! What a huge relief ! Thanks for teaching us about the breakdown of the number crunch...

[@jasnonya3005]

Totally happy you're family is getting the added blessing of all you and Jeff's hard work. The savings is great for your new business model I'm sure. Still praying for y'all's success and happiness for you and family on the ranch!

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you Jas Nonya.

[@deblarsen8528]

"Hay"! Mike! I am glad you and Jeff finished up the baling for 2022! I felt a sense of relief as that last bale was "kicked" out of the baler!! 👍 Will you be making a video when you move those 371 beautiful round bales to your hay yard? You can put the video in "fast motion" and get it done super fast! I am praying for rain for those of us who need it, and relief from the rains for those who have had an over abundance of water! 💧 BTW..... I thought you did an excellent job "crunching" the numbers and figuring out how much you spent and saved on producing your own hay compared to buying it! Until your next video ~~~ Stay safe, healthy and happy! 🐃

[@lindasimmons131]

Absolutely amazing the savings by baleing your own hay. You guy's deserve a huge pat on the back for saving the ranch that kind of money. I hope the weather will smile on you every year to produce a great hay crop like this year. Thank you so much for taking us along..without you I would never understand what goes into producing our beef.

[@larrymoore6640]

Congratulations on making your goal. I think you did a nice job of figuring your cost, I especially like the idea that you factored in the equipment usage.

[@anthonydolezal6627]

Congratulations Mike! Having 2022 is in the books! The spreadsheet is encouraging.! Glad everyone had a safe season. One thing. We can't bale at 0300. We have too much dew and start at 1100 and goto 2000 at the latest. The difference in areas. Can't wait to see what's next! Keep Smilin!!

[@alexandermoon7211]

JEFF!!! watch the videos!!! more seriously - I am so happy for you guys to be able to cut your own hay this year!. this is actually the first time I've been able to watch your "haying season" as it were, since I started watching after the hail of 2019.

[@jwenting]

Do keep in mind that the parts cost can be spread over several years, or rather you calculate the cost into this year's work so you get a "virtual discount" on it over the next few years (if you can make more hay those years). That's how all sensible companies do it. E.g. when I get a new laptop for my work it's budgeted to last 5 years (set by law here, companies can write down laptops in 5 years), so instead of $2000 cost in year 1 and no cost in the next 4 years it's budgeted as costing $400 a year. If it needs a new charger in year 3 that one's then budgeted over the remaining years until the laptop is to be replaced. And keep in mind the shipping cost of that hay you purchase. That truck and driver are EXPENSIVE, especially in today's US where there's a serious shortage of truckers (made even worse by the new government regulations brought in over the last 2 years). That's probably $100 of that difference in cost per bale right there. Not the farmer making the bale, but the trucking company transporting it from the maker to you. And a lot of that doesn't even go to the trucker, it goes to the government in road taxes, road tolls, fuel taxes, vehicle taxes, etc. etc.

[@cherylmillard2067]

Exactly!! A percentage of those costs are tax write offs as a business expense, oil changes, tractor parts, excise taxes, gas and oil, etc., and some are depreciation (like your laptop, etc.) until there's nothing left to claim as a depreciation, like on tractors, the bailer, mower, etc.

[@nezlquasie]

Worthyful Incredulous! Congratulations to an Amazing Family! This video needs to be shown in highschool MATH Class!!

[@ronniepate4315]

Thanks for the breakdown of the cost of haying . Glad you were able to hay and your finished . You just can't learn this hardly anywhere else . Thanks again .

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thanks Ronnie. Educating is part of the mission here at Our Wyoming Life.

[@carrieschirado8967]

Awesome video! I even teared up! You all put in so many hours of hard work into making sure the cows are fed over the winter which inturn feeds my family next year! That is so important to my family and I thank you all! I know it feels good to produce your own hay for your cattle and save the ranch money! Definitely a big deal in my book! Congratulations Mike & Erin & Jeff stay strong! Hugs!

[@jeffgardenier609]

Good stuff Mike. I have always loved and hated haying. It is so satisfying to have the hay that we need put up in the barn ready for winter. If I could just once make it through one season without breakdowns or flat tires, well I just don't know.

[@tokencivilian8507]

One more expense to add - the cost of collecting up those bales and bringing them in. Even with that, what a tremendous savings on your cash flow to DIY the hay. I'm happy for you to have received sufficient rain to make it happen and to have slightly exceeded your target number of bales. Here's hoping you get even more rain for an even better 2023 haying season.

[@tambraedwan7873]

Great Job Mike and your team. I called this 21 days of hard work a win for the ranch.

[@starrmcurry2718]

Congrats on a fantastic hay season. Mike your a great teacher and I have Learned so much about haying. When I found your channel months ago it was with intent to learn more about ranching. I have been long retired but learning is always fun for me. I may be a stranger, but your family feels like it is mine also. Sending blessings for your family and Jeff!

[@JanesDough855]

What Amazing and Great News! I couldn't be more thrilled for you, the family, and your team! The sweat equity paid off. In fact, I am going to have a beer to celebrate (root beer). God is Good, Mike! You all Be Blessed!

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thanks so much Jane.

[@claytonfite3197]

An outstanding job was done very well. Crunching the numbers and squeezing out the facts. It does not get any better than that. Thank you, Mike

[@nanhayden8438]

*Bringing in the Sheaves* I'm not sure what a sheave is, but it seems appropriate lol. I'm so happy for you guys - whew!

[@michaelkuehnen8584]

...shouldn't land rent/taxes and equipment depreciation be included in bale price? I have to imagine that plays a significant part in the price of a bale when you have to buy it (in addition to labor costs)

[@nancydonahue4256]

He may charge the land costs against the cows. Also he said the other day the tractor was over 30 years old. Likely all of their equipment is fully depreciated.

[@robk8453]

I agree. Guys who sell hay for a living would have to include all of that in the price of their hay. Mike may not include that for other reasons, but it’s definitely a factor for some.

[@jasnonya3005]

Hay, right now is selling like a commodity.... Supply and demand. Mike's cost is cash outlay not like a hay producer . Is my best guess! Hard costs are his concern, not the added costs like a producer, who's overhead is all the hard costs and land, leased so on and so forth.

[@ryanwilliams77480]

Also got to think of the nutrient lose from taking a cut off a field

[@jasonlutz8400]

Totally agree with you could also add insurance cost and definitely machinery cost payments

[@laurajackson2429]

CONGRATULATIONS! I'm SO happy for You! You guy's really deserved this win. The cow's will appreciate it come winter.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you Laura. I appreciate it and Im sure the cows will too!

[@barbaraberrier8840]

Thanks Mike for sharing all that info. So glad you got 371 bales and also glad your done with that project for this year. Hope you can get some sleep. I know the 4 a.m. is not fun, been doing it for 17 yrs. Rest well tonight.

[@juliabuddle7927]

I'm so happy for you! You must all be exhausted after that monumental amount of work! I can't wait to see the next chapters in your story!

[@melvinwoodruff905]

Congratulations on some successful work. Awesome to be in charge of your own destiny this year on haying

[@yoyoswift9926]

This is so awesome! Been really pulling for a successful season!

[@soohoo8907]

I absolutely love watching you all as a family show how you work together to make your ranch continue. Just watched the last baling and wondered what the moisture content was for the night baling. Thanks, Soo

[@pattipowell7788]

I am so thankful this huge expense has been spared from your family this year. The good Lord always makes a way!!! I wish you all much continued success and thank you for letting us be a part of Our Wyoming Life Family‼️💙💜❤️🦋😍🥰😘🙌🙏✝️

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you Patti. We're hoping this wave lasts for years!

[@celestemclaughlin1356]

Hurray! Celebrate! So happy for you and family.

[@RogerW9421]

Nicely put! Great spreadsheet! Thanx for taking us with you, and helping us understand just that one little bit of the big puzzle of a ranch! The more we know....

[@hopemorrison2367]

How is Matt haven't seen him lately I pray he is doing well

[@jeanettebateman6394]

Congratulations on the great ranch savings with all of your and Jeff's hard work.

[@rancancookcanoy9768]

A great video. Glad you guys were able to do haying this year. Have a great rest of the week.

[@lindapeterson7166]

Hi Mike & Erin,I am so very happy for you!You saved so much money & that is great.WOW! Your content on every video is amazing.You both work so hard & I admire that.Bless your family.Hi kids 👋 I think you ‘3’ are awesome as well.🌷💕🌷

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thanks so much Linda.

[@cothranfarms6038]

Definitely a win for the home team! Good stuff today Mike!

[@sherrysmith9234]

Amazing!!! Love the transparency. That is so interesting. You and your family are such a pleasure to be able to follow.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you Sherry.

[@mikerudd9698]

I enjoy watching your channel. I am not going to critic your record keeping and gathering but I am going to express the idea of the disservice you have done for Ranchers and Farmers who are battling to pay their bills, and operate their operations profitably. You have just educated a bunch of people without giving them the "whole story" of expense and income! Resources need to be accounted for! Land debt, equipment values and depreciation, along with interest on operating loans, taxes, insurance, and many other expenses that need to be reflected in your "hay cost".... Each farmer and rancher have a unique situation, no two operations are alike. Congratulations on your hay crop, keep up the good work!

[@scottcahala7779]

This was an eye opening video. Glad you were able to save the ranch that amount of money. I am Shure you will be able too do a lot of importants on the ranch.

[@jordanroberts1519]

The relief is palpable in this video. Congratulations Mike!!! I'm glad after 3 years you have the opportunity to provide your herd YOUR hay. I'd be very interested in how that labor cost is so offset from your own expenditures. Is this like a rancher/feedlot/packer issue all over again or is it such a 'specialized' cost? I'm sure Trevor Bales would have plenty to talk with you about if you could get ahold of him.

[@jwenting]

A big part of the cost difference between making your own and getting it shipped in is shipping cost. The trucking industry is going through a very serious labour shortage in the USA (in no small part due to government overregulation putting many independents out of business and deterring a lot of people from seeking employment as a trucker), driving up what prices trucking companies can (and do) charge for their services. That's also the main reason for the ports being clogged to the point where transport ships are sitting offshore from major ports for weeks if not months. It's not that the port can't handle the ships, but they can't load the cargo from those ships onto non-existent trucks so the ports are sitting idle as well, and only the pilot boats and other secondary services are running to supply the waiting ships for food and water (and medical services) for their crews.

[@solitairesmith3553]

I'm glad your done.our temperature here in Oklahoma today is 108. Can't imagine doing hay here

[@OurWyomingLife]

Now that is real hot!

[@TJF8]

Great news. Thanks for the detailed description.

[@mikerowley464]

You forgot something with your numbers. The cost of trucking that hay. (I know it was included) I would guess, knowing what trucking companies are charging, that the farmer is charging (probably) around $50.00 per hour. Great video. I am really glad you were able to put up so much hay. Congrats.

[@jangrahame4891]

Judging by what other folks are doing to reduce their herds, you should be able to pick up some finishing steers and even some heifers cheaper than what you sold off mom's cows for. She was a smart cookie getting out on a market high.

[@vivianwinford3681]

Do you bale the grass growing between the roadway and your fenceline? When I lived out there I saw that being done. 💘 haying this year.

[@lauradittman8471]

KUDOS!!!!! to you guys for outstanding job of haying. You didn't over graze your cattle in those fields, less cattle to feed, and mother nature did her part. I think your Ranch is heading in the right direction-God Bless you all for your "hard work"

[@nadinefroderman157]

Congrats on getting so much hay this summer.

[@kenmichayluk8]

Job well done. Way to go Mike and Jeff

[@lylesmith1949]

Congratulations on an extremely successful haying season! God provides!!! Here in N.Texas it's 110°F and we haven't had any rain in over a month. Corn crop is lost! But, we are used to hot summers. At any rate, great job on the haying and the budgeting! On to the next project. God Bless!

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you! Hope you get some rain soon.

[@jeffjablonsky2371]

Congratulations on finishing the haying season. Since the weather is so hot, I'm sure Jeff is very happy to be done too. Now, another project, after cleaning all the equipment and storing it away for next season, hopefully! Very nice to have the spreadsheets so you can track all your expenses and estimate the cost savings. Having to work so hard for 21 days to save the ranch $53,000.00 I'm sure you would love to do every year. I know I would. I'm always looking on my ROI, return on investment, when dealing with major expenses. Sometimes, making something, furniture, etc., actually cost more that the mass production products, but the quality of the product is much better than those you purchase. So, just because it cost less to buy, you have to look at the quality of the product vs what it cost and the quality of something you make yourself. Relax some during these very hot days. You deserve it my friend. Be safe everyone.

[@monsterboymom]

Congratulations on a job well done, Mike and Jeff!!

[@XCELERATIONRULES]

Love the Wyoming landscape...needs it's own webcam!

[@traceyhacking7109]

Sooo very happy for all of you!!

[@wykeishacraft6820]

Hi to Our Wyoming Life and all others too. I hope everybody feeling great on this beautiful bless day/night. Good you get the haye for your animals. Great contents and keep it up. Thanks for sharing your videos. Have a bless day hugs and prayers to you all.😊😊

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you Wykeisha.

[@lindamadson]

Glad you got to bale hay. Happy for you!!

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thanks Linda.

[@digginz8603]

Great video! Great channel! I love how educational this is!!!!!

[@alwilson9035]

Im happy you got the haying done this year. Its always a relief knowing you have feed put up for the coming winter. Thanks for doing the videos Mike I do enjoy them.

[@helencline5768]

Love the song.🤗🤗🤗👍👍👍

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you very much and glad you enjoy the videos.

[@Bill_N_ATX]

I’m very happy you got hay this year. It looks like the difference between a profit and a loss.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thanks William. Its sure gonna help the bottom line.

[@Bill_N_ATX]

@@OurWyomingLife , i live in Central Texas and our local ranchers are selling cows and calves right now since they know they aren’t going to have the hay this year. We just haven’t had enough rain. Last two years were good for them. Mother Nature rules the business I guess.

[@midwesthunter5354]

That’s how I like to do my math on hay costs, but in reality you need to factor in equipment replacement and land costs still a good video thanks

[@janegao5747]

Hi Mike, congrats for a successful year of haying! You did a good job on punching the numbers too! I don't really know much about ranching or farming but I just love to watch your videos. Hope the best for you and your family!

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thanks, and your family too!

[@handyman28635]

Glad the rain came this year and you were able to get what you need for the winter. I know it was a hard 21 days but payed off in the end.

[@OurWyomingLife]

It was a hard 21 days, and Im glad we are done. Thanks for watching.

[@butterbean1965]

Oh my gosh that is insane that it would cost that much to buy a bale of hay compared to what it cost you to bail your own hay. I am so thrilled and so excited that you guys are able to Hay this year and save all that money because I know the ranch needed it. You and Erin work so hard well Jeff too to make sure this Ranch keeps going and I pray for you guys everyday that the ranch will produce what you needed to produce and you will thrive. You are a blessing to everyone whether we're a Rancher or not because I sure ain't LOL God bless you guys.

[@redrustyhill2]

Hay producers also have to account for land costs (rent or taxes, fertilizer, irrigation, weed control), higher equipment costs as commercial hay producers are usually running new equipment, and trucking costs to transport the hay 1,000+ miles. Mike also didn't include accurate labor costs which is more like $60 an hour for a haying operation that has legal employees.

[@nitapachulski9758]

So glad y'all got a lot of hay this year.

[@OurWyomingLife]

So are we Nita!

[@mph5896]

Ac repair on the tractor might not cost a ton of $. I would check the basics first, make sure the condenser fan is working properly with all the shrouds in place and make sure the condenser is clean and free of debris. From there you need a set of ac gauges for testing that can be purchased for < $100. Adding a little refrigerant if its low with a small leak would get the system cool again..

[@LostInThe0zone]

I'm relieved for the ranch that you were able to get hay from the ranch. I hope this is the start of many years of being able to feed your herd from your own land.

[@OurWyomingLife]

We felt the relief too! Thanks for watching LostInThe0zone

[@henrideclercq7338]

You did a awesome job so glad you guys came out ahead for a change. God bless you and your family.

[@OurWyomingLife]

Thank you Henri.

[@cherylmillard2067]

Well done on an amazing haying season!! I always look forward to your videos. A percentage of those costs are tax write offs as a business expense, oil changes, tractor parts, excise taxes, gas and oil, etc., and some are depreciation until there's nothing left to claim as a depreciation, like on tractors, the bailer, mower, etc.

[@OZARKMEL]

Holy cow, what a savings....and had you not had that high repair total the savings would of been much more. I'm so happy for you guys. At least now you know where your hay came from and that it wasn't sprayed with chemicals. In Missouri they spray the roadsides....however Farmers bale that same "hay" which is really just weeds....thrilled for you!

[@Kay-ki7qs]

Mike you should look into buying some cattle right now out of Texas, cause of the drought ranchers are selling off there herds at rock bottom prices. Because of the cost of hay, and because a lot of there water sources are drying up. There was one place in Texas where the lines to drop cattle off at the auction house were over 5 miles long in each direction. If you have the money, now would be a perfect time to pick up more for your herd!!❤️

[@garywoods148]

Mike, I think the most important value you left out is what the grass is worth. More importantly what you have to do to make the grass grow. Many people that sell hay cut it in on other peoples land unless they are strictly growing grass to sell as hay. I spent $3000.00 on fertilizer for 40 acres of Bermuda this year and it made 18 bales. Last year with the same fertilizer it made 60 bales. So just factoring only the fertilizer those bales cost me around $166.00 each to put up. Many custom hay balers cut other people's hay on a percentage, for years this was done on the halves meaning I cut, rake and bale your hay and I keep half. Now it's pretty much done on a 60/40 split due to fuel cost. I just cut 78 bales 12 miles away from my farm on a 60/40 split and then purchased the land owners 40% for 65 per bale. After around $500.00 in fuel for tractors and trucks I had around $2500.00 in those 78 bales not including labor, string, maintenance, or any other cost. That comes out to $32.00 per bale but in reality it's probably somewhere around $38.00- $40.00 per bale, that is still way better than what it cost me to cut my own hay. I do agree that hay is getting out of control and $175.00 per bale is ridiculous and cannot be good for the industry. Enjoyed the video!

[@pmchamlee]

We do admie you and Erin in your endeavors. Job well done, Mike. We enjoyed the ride!

[@dtbmjax]

Early morning on a farm / ranch. Ain't nothing much better except maybe waking up early on a beautiful beach in the Caribbean during the winter.