Author Topic: Cost of making hay. (Read 36522 times)

robert waddell · « **Reply #15 on:** July 06, 2012, 05:34:22 pm »

sudanpan is it not a busatis if it is it has two reciprocating knifes
bamford bl 58
is that the hayzip back to working order could you still get parts for it

Sudanpan · « **Reply #16 on:** July 06, 2012, 06:06:04 pm »

Hi Robert

The finger cutter - I'll take a piccie of it when I next get an opportunity - I 'think' it has one blade that moves against a static edge - it has really nasty looking points pointing forward and when it is up in the storage position I keep imagining that I'm going to impale myself on it!

Re the hayzip - yes we managed to strip it down completely and sort out extra tines which were easy to get. Jim (OH) thinks everything else is pretty much in ok order - one of the gear heads was a bit oily but we'll keep an eye on it and as we only have a couple of acres it shouldn't be too much of a problem.

MichelleP · « **Reply #17 on:** July 10, 2012, 07:27:43 am »

I seem to have done rather well, being quoted in East Sussex £1.30 per bale for small bale hay.

My problem is when to cut it.

Does anyone in the south east see a window for cutting any time soon? I have scoured the weather forecasts and see sunshine in my area Sunday 15th July, Monday Tuesday, although there is still 10-30% chance of rain according to the BBC.

Wet forecast looks set to stay until August.

What is everyone else doing? This is my first attempt at hay and I want to get it right.

TheCaptain · « **Reply #18 on:** July 10, 2012, 09:17:36 am »

Praying for 10 days of dry weather because it's too wet to get any machinary on. This weather is balls!

FiB · « **Reply #19 on:** July 10, 2012, 10:04:11 am »

Quote from: TheCaptain on July 10, 2012, 09:17:36 am

Praying for 10 days of dry weather because it's too wet to get any machinary on. This weather is balls!

ditto

Found our costs from last year from a co-operative we are part of. 8 refers to 8 acres. and it is in Chepstow south wales.
We paid
Mow £10.5/ acre x 8 = 84
Turn £6/acre x 8 x 3turns = 144
Row £6/acre x 8 = 48
Bail £0.32/bale x 550bales = 176
Roundbales (not sure how many)= 20
Total Costs - Paul 472

Help - Tim & Ali 100
Help - Phil 50
Total Costs 622

Sales
Square bales £2.5 ex field x 550 = 1375
Roundbales

Total Profit 753
We've had to do more this year (harrow, fertilise, hand weed) so if we get a crop off this year I think the price will be higher, even ex field. Up here in north wales, bales were going ex field £3.5-£3.75.

SteveHants · « **Reply #20 on:** July 30, 2012, 06:55:07 pm »

They are £2.50 down here.

Thats the problem with the forage market - a good year and its easy for the price per bale to fall below your cost of production.

I was going to have a 5 ac paddock mown, glad I didnt now, be making nought on each bale.

Victorian Farmer · « **Reply #21 on:** July 31, 2012, 10:45:42 am »

i charge £100 all in 3 6 to 8 acres field iff you do it right you can cut twice big bales then cut and make small .we rent a croft so lots off small fields in the area .last week i cut a field and next door es ha dent been done so i cut the field terned it Friday and bailed phoned naboure to pic up .£125 and a bottle wine on Monday .I think £2.50 a bale is about right .