Are any of you.....?

Question

stockpiling hay now?? Equus magazine has a great article on gathering hay prior to this winter..and how to go about it...by either contacting the grower or retailer.

Answer 1

I always purchase all my hay for the winter during the summer. Just too risky, even in good hay years, to risk running out during the winter months.

With the hay scare that's been going on it's even more important as you also have those  people who are trying to stockpile way more than they need just to try and resell it during the winter at extremely inflated prices. I know they make a profit doing that but IMO it's just not right.

Answer 2

I read that article.  I also get Equus.

I am going to be taking more hay from my field to keep than I did last year.  I ran short because I picked up a third horse.  If I could sell her I would but I don't see that happening right now.  I don't want her put into a starving situation.

My hay got rained on this first cut.  I got 4 large round bales but I don't know if they got ruined before the huge storm.  I hope to take in 125 bales each cut.  If it's a good season maybe 150 bales each cut.

If I don't take what I need he ends up selling it immediately.  People show up with tractor trailers!

I HOPE there are some farmers that will hold hay back so mid winter/end of winter they will sell when everyone else has none. So many sell immediately instead of holding back.

Answer 3

Soon as the fields were down...the 'rural phone tree' starts ringing!  My group of friends...we call different ranches.  We locate the best price we can, based on quality, and go pick it up out of the field.  Saving about 2 bucks a bale.

We try to get it handled BEFORE winter.  I purchase enough to get me through the year until next harvest.  If I don't have the funds for a year's supply...I will take whatever I do have and spend it.  Gaining 20 bales a week works the same as a lump sum.  Though it 'appears' easier for me to pay.

One friend of mine bought out an entire harvest of hay from one farmer for $4 a bale.  Right now it's running close to $9 for a 60 pound bale.  He overpurchased and wrote my name down as someone who will purchase his excess.  Good trade going too...He needs a place to store the excess, I've got that...so the price for me stays the same as his...for the hay I 'store' and use.

I get it now, or as soon as I can.  I can't imagine what the price will be come January or February!!

Answer 4

We always get our hay and alfalfa in the spring and summer. Not only will it save you money if the prices should hike during the fall and winter, but if you go and pick the hay up out of the field yourself- you could save anywhere from $2-10 a bale depending on where you live.

With alfalfa you really have to be careful where you purchase from as you don't want beetles that alfalfa is carrying to get into your other forage.

Answer 5

Yeah, we always get the hay situation taken care of during the summer also.  Just easier & then we are not having to scramble trying to find hay as winter comes on.  Sort of a standing order.  We call a gal here & she writes us down, then she places the orders & let's us know when the hay will arrive.  That gives us a chance to clean the storage areas & get ready for it.

We are down to 5 horses now, having taken 3 to my dad's place, but we will be ordering the same amount of hay.