The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Smallholding => Land Management => Topic started by: sarahdean_66 on August 25, 2014, 02:39:41 pm
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Got 4acres of grass which a guy was ment to cone and cut for hay but we've not had a break in the weather! Is it too late now? And if it is what shall I do with the grass to make some money to buy in hay for the winter! It's poor fencing and I've got sheep horses turkeys and soon chickens in the top end which I've fenced some and In the middle of fencing some more but can't afford to do it all yet!
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You are not far from me. I think they will take a second cut, they did last year, I think they cut late September October last year in Fenstanton. It depends what the farmer when he comes is going to charge you, I paid £3 a bale stacked in the barn and they are tight heavy bales, Luke Farrer off FB, if you have only a few sheep will a couple of round bales do, about £25 -30.
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Up in the frozen wastes ;) we often don't get our hay until late July or August, and we've made hay in September a couple of times. We've grass cut now that we are hoping might make big bale hay tomorrow, otherwise it'll be wrapped and be haylage.
However of course our growing season and climate differ from yours so I don't know what your grass is like.
If not hay then I'd have thought it would make silage, providing you have contractors able and willing to get on and do it for you. And then you would be able to sell the bales off the field if there are local farmers with livestock to feed and a tractor with squeezy arms or a spike to come and collect the bales. Just make sure you add up all the contractors costs before agreeing a price per bale to sell at though - we reckon it costs us nearly £15 per bale to make round bale silage, so wouldn't sell for less than £20 per bale.
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Ok thanks guys. Luke farrer is ment to be coming to cut it for me just with the amount of wet predicted wasn't sure if we would get a weather break!