hay supply and prices

[tlakota]

Me and dad decided to plant another quarter to alfalfa last fall and looks like its doing pretty good. Ive got about 350 acres of it right now so i plan on being a busy guy this summer. I was just wondering how everybodys carry over is going to be for next year. Looks like we should get a good first cutting here but i know there are still alot of dry parts around the world. Also, curious what hay prices are doing in your own area.
I just had one more question. When i started this alfalfa adventure i worked my but off to put up dairy quality hay. I couldnt find a dairy market though. So last summer with it being so dry i decided i better get more tons then higher quality hay so i let each cutting go about 10 days longer. I think last year it still tested in at 150 RFV. Do you guys think i should go more for tons this year or for the supreme quality dairy hay?

 

[Jinglebob]

Me and dad decided to plant another quarter to alfalfa last fall and looks like its doing pretty good. Ive got about 350 acres of it right now so i plan on being a busy guy this summer. I was just wondering how everybodys carry over is going to be for next year. Looks like we should get a good first cutting here but i know there are still alot of dry parts around the world. Also, curious what hay prices are doing in your own area.
I just had one more question. When i started this alfalfa adventure i worked my but off to put up dairy quality hay. I couldnt find a dairy market though. So last summer with it being so dry i decided i better get more tons then higher quality hay so i let each cutting go about 10 days longer. I think last year it still tested in at 150 RFV. Do you guys think i should go more for tons this year or for the supreme quality dairy hay?

Tons.

Then bring a truckload out to me.

I'll give you $25 a ton.



I do think that it's going to be high again.

Everybody that can raise corn is going to plow it up, I 'm afraid and there is very little carryover left.

And I might be interested in some this fall, if the price is right. [/i]

 

[jigs]

we usually go for the dairy hay. have several good markets in the East. but last year we were getting more for marginal hay going to Texas than we were getting for our contract hay that went East ! may be interested in brokering some dairy hay this fall if you are interested......let me know what you want for it. is it under a roof? on pallets? size of bales??

 

[PPRM]

Really, I think the best thing is to acomaodate yout best customers....If they are horse people, raie that, if they are dairy, go for that.....No sense raising hay for a market that you don't have.....

I HQVE BOUGHT FROM THE SAME GUY FOR THE LAST 8 YEARS.....Sometimes I could save $5-10/ton, sometimes he could get another $10/ton, but year after year, I have a source and he has a customer that he knows will pay him,


It is short around here......

PPRM

 

[cowboyup]

I think there will always be a market for good hay but freight and the price of raising it is going to take its toll. I'm not sure how much profit there is going to be in it unless you have a local market. I am planting another 400 acres down and I am looking for another outlet.
One of the problems here is that cows are going to be a thing of the past on the Madison. I lost a thousand acres of river bottom grass with only a weeks notice because the owners are putting it into a swamp project. Here the ducks, Mosquitoes and fish are revered more than the cow. This will stop when people get hungry and then they will be looking for some cowboys to raise them some beef to eat. Then the cowboys will be looking for some hay to feed them critters. The bottom line is to just lift on the rein and pull with your spurs and hope you have enough in you to make it untill times get good again.


Don't take me to serious, I've had a bad Monday :wink:

 

[Hooks]

I'd agree with accomadating your local market.
And we go for tonnage cuz always seems we get some potential new customers inquiring about hay.
I have sent some to the SWest, but that was to help folks after the fires. The freight is pretty stiff on those deals, so I'd wonder if that would be a viable market on a regular basis.

 

[Denny]

You could haul your hay to the Mid-Minnesota Hay Auction they sell alot of Dairy hay thru that it is held at Sauk Centre Mn from Sept thru May.The sales are every other Thursday it is held at the truck stop you show up early they have the hay tested and its sold by the truck load.That should be about 280 miles from you give or take 20 miles.If you need a phone number for that I can get it for you.Alot of BIG Dairies down in that area.

 

[BRG]

I guess where you live, I would raise as many tons of hay possible. Way more beef cows than dairy when you look west of you. The cowboys may not pay as much but they don't need the best either. The hay trailors are always going west, and not sure if I have ever seen one go east across the bridge at Mobridge or Gettysburg. I think you would have a much larger market to sell to.

 

[tlakota]

if any of you guys west of the river, or anywhere need any of this upcoming alfalfa let me know...ill take a discount if its out of the field shortly after i bale it

 

[Jinglebob]

if any of you guys west of the river, or anywhere need any of this upcoming alfalfa let me know...ill take a discount if its out of the field shortly after i bale it

What's it going to cost a ton, back there. I think I'm about 300 miles from you.