[minibn]

Hi,

I currently get around 6.5 acres cut every year into small bale hay. I usually get around 300, so keep some for my own horses plus a few sheep and sell the rest straight from the field. I also have another field around 4 acres which I need to do something with this year. There's just way to much grass to leave. Last year I had the farmer (who cut all of my hay) cut and bale the extra field into large square bale haylage, which he took free for cutting it. Plus I hadn't got a use for it so it solved the problem.

I was hoping not to have to do the same this year, however with all this good weather the grass has gone bonkers, so I have way to much. I have thought about doing some haylage for my own horses, as well as hay. However if it was cut and baled into large square bales, I have no means to move it, plus opening a large bale with only 2 horses, I fear that most of it would go to waste. Ideally I would like to get it cut and baled into small bale haylage, however I don't think my farmer cuts bales and wraps small bales. This is my dilemma. I would hope I could sell it straight from the field, however I'm not sure of the market for small bale haylage, nor the cost of baling it.

Does anyone have any advice on the subject regarding cost of bailing/selling. Or is there anyone who would be interested in buying some if I was able to get it cut. It is lovely meadow grass 99% weed and thistle free.

Thanks for reading

Regards

Emily

[Rupert the bear]

Where are you ?  Is there a local forage merchant that may know of a small haylage bale producethat may be able to make for you and take the remander ?
We small round bale our haylage, it is at the outset expensive ,the cost of the wrap and net. but this is offset by ease of handling ( who am I kidding , our 2ft x 2ft round bales weigh in at 75kg  ) but lack of wastage makes up for it . We are lucky in that we have all our own equipment, Would it not we better to get it made as large bales and sell them ? Or even sell the standing grass, again a forage merchant is the best contact I can think of.

[minibn]

Thank you for the reply. I'm in gloucestershire.  I shall look into that. Hopefully I can get something done with it.

Regards

Emily

[sabrina]

Your giving away a lot of money ! I buy small bales of haylage at £6 but that is cheap. I am sure you could sell the grass from the paddock to someone who wants to make hay or haylage letting you keep so much as payment say. don't give it free !