- The ongoing drought continues to squeeze available hay supplies and widespread drought this year is a severe threat to 2022 hay (and range/pasture) production.
- May 1 hay stocks in the 17 plains and western states were down 17.7 percent year over year.
Subsequently, Is it cheaper to buy hay or make it? In most environments where forage production is based on natural rainfall, you can almost always buy hay cheaper than you can produce it.
How many bales of hay are in a ton? A ton: 2000# pounds of hay to the ton. A retail three string bale weighs 100 # there are 20 bales in a ton.
Yet, Why are hay prices so high? However, that changed in 2021 as the drought had more of an impact on areas of the country affecting hay production and increased demand for hay resulting in significantly higher prices as seen in the chart below. All hay stocks at the end of last year reached a ten-year low.
How much does a 4 by 6 round bale weigh? If you asked most people what the round bales they baled or bought weighed they would probably tell you a number between 1,000 and 1,200 pounds.
How much do hay farmers make a year?
“You are going to get more than three years out of that, but if we use three years, that’s about $100 per acre per year,” Brown says. “If you are getting $125 per ton for quality hay, you are going to see a profit of $51 per ton, or $204 per acre.
What to feed cows when there is no hay?
Corn is commonly used as a feed in finishing, or feedlot, cattle diets throughout the U.S. Whole corn-based diets can meet the nutrient requirements of pregnant beef cattle without adverse effects on production and, depending on the economics, may be provided at a lower cost than feeding hay (Loerch, 1996).
How much hay is needed to raise a cow?
Cows will voluntarily consume about 2 percent of their body weight or 24 pounds per day. The 24 pounds is based on 100 percent dry matter. Grass hays often will be 7 percent to 10 percent moisture.
Is hay farming worth it?
He says it costs about $297 per acre to seed and prepare hay ground. “You are going to get more than three years out of that, but if we use three years, that’s about $100 per acre per year,” Brown says. “If you are getting $125 per ton for quality hay, you are going to see a profit of $51 per ton, or $204 per acre.
How do you maintain a hay field?
For hay, mow the field with a rotary mower to remove problem plants by cutting them before they set viable seed. Till to control tenacious, perennial weeds, such as bedstraw, and then seed. The best time to seed is in May or in the first three weeks of August, when seed will survive and compete with weeds better.
What is the most profitable thing to farm?
Most Profitable Agricultural Business Ideas in 2021
- Vertical Farming. Market value: $3.9 billion. …
- Precision Farming. Market value: $7 billion. …
- Apiculture. Market value: $8.3 billion. …
- Microgreens. Market value: $10.9 billion. …
- Vegan Food. Market value: $14.4 billion.
How many acres do you need to make hay?
Horse farmers are looking for good hay, and they’re willing to pay for it. Here was the thought, on 50 acres you would get 100 square bales per acre, which is a conservative number. If we do the math, that works out to be. 100 bales x 50 acres = 5000 bales of hay for 50 acres of land.
Does hay have to be planted every year?
Planting and growing Some fields are always used to grow hay, and don’t require re-planting every year. In other cases, hay is a part of a crop rotation, where farmers plant different crops on the same field in different years.