Tips for Growing and Selling Horse Hay

Five horse hay growers in Minnesota share their tips on growing and selling horse hay, including how they monitor moisture throughout the baling process, how they work around the weather, what types of forages they grow and the investment it takes to grow and harvest hay. The farmers also share their advice for individuals wanting to grow and/or sell horse hay and their greatest challenges associated with growing and selling horse hay.

[@chrisg2004]

Great video. This is a very important video for new people getting into haying. We did it for 25 years with only 35 acres of hay. I spent more on equipment than I ever brought in. Our goal was to feed our animals, and I engaged the neighbors for help. This is when they were long on horses and short on cash. I also stored the hay. I the last 5 years I lost my help found it easier to to buy than to make, so I converted to round bales. Thanks for doing this video.

[@artemisiagentileschi2400]

You converted to round bales. Does that mean you farm your hay still, but into round bales? And do you still buy your hay AND farm your own round bales? Thanks in advance for your reply.

[@chrisg2004]

@@artemisiagentileschi2400 , I just do round bales. When they get to the barn, I slice the top and splay it open. This allows me to use a pitch fork and feed as normal (as with a square bale). Sorry to be so late with this reply

[@BillTheTractorMan]

I used to grow horse hay for a few specific people. In this video John Strohfus touched on it, horse people are picky and often unrealistic. Another thing I would add, horse people, don't like to pay. they complain and complain, then they want you to cut the price in half, then if you do make a deal the check will bounce and they will ignore you to get out of paying. I would say it is easy to make horse hay, hard to sell it. I gave it up because the horse people, minus a select few, were terrible buyers.

[@hiscifi2986]

My uncle used to make very good hay with meadow fescue and timothy, also a good amount of clover. Although it was used to feed cows, there was very little dust in it, which would be good for horses. He also made a small amount of loose hay one year, which would have been ideal, as it had not been cut by a baler.

[@northernlakesfarm]

Nice job on the video. I'd add a few comments for people looking to get into the market. First, build a clientele of horse and non-horse customers. By that I mean folks with sheep, cattle, goats or even landscapers looking for erosion control. Then if the crop doesn't meet horses standards you'll have other potential customers. Second, build relationships with people, by looking to have the livestock owner be successful so you can be too. If market prices go through the roof one year, think carefully about how much you raise prices for long-term customers. You don't want them out of business when the market goes soft again. Third, consider saving some bales for late winter auctions. Like in April 2018 the auctions were a great market.

[@courtlandtsmith5225]

This

[@jackhummel4465]

Very informative and objective video; thanks!

[@daveknepp7718]

I'm retired and have a small farm in SW Pennsylvania. Several years ago we sold all the livestock and now sale hay for both horses and cattle. On a good year I'll make enough to pay the taxes and fuel for the year. But there's no place I'd rather be then out in a hay field.

[@JCam151]

I'm thinking about buying a box truck for transporting hay, how much do you sell the bales for?

[@daveknepp7718]

My square bales go for 3.00 each second cutting is 4.00 each. Four feet by 5 foot round bales are 30.00 each.

[@JCam151]

@@daveknepp7718 I'm still doing my homework on this but I'm told 500 bales can fit in a 26ft box truck. Do you have that many to sell? If so Id like to talk with you more about it

[@daveknepp7718]

Sorry but about everything has been sold.

[@JCam151]

@@daveknepp7718 ok thanks

[@acdii]

I am going to bale 3 or so acres only so that I can cut the real estate taxes. If I make money on the hay, it's a plus, but if I didn't bale it as hay, it would actually cost me more in fuel since I would be mowing it at least once a week. So for the cost of some used equipment, less than $5K for it all, there is a potential to reduce taxes by more than $2,000 a year. I still have to fertilize, so thats a moot point. Might as well try selling it instead of wasting it. I could lease it out for farmers, but then have to look at torn up ground and corn or beans in the back yard, and there is already enough of that on 3 sides of me. This is something that I pondered several years now, but not something everyone should do since the old equipment must be serviced and you better know how or it will cost you more in money than anything. I got an old NH 273 baler for $1200, spend $100 in parts and having it singing like an angel, for now. :) The mower needs TLC, but is a good base to work with, and the rake is like new now that I rebuilt most of it, still with all that, the rake cost less than any others I found. You have to shop around for them to find deals and you must know what to look for so you aren't sitting with a lawn ornament. I already have a tractor for work around the place. might as well put it to good use.

[@ustinman8446]

" Make Hay while the SUN Shines "

[@user-vf6jc8es4u]

It's not such a simple matter to produce quality hay as one might think!