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SW Ohio | I run 1200 acres row crops and 100 of hay. My wife runs 30 head beef cow operation, direct to consumer. I've had a round baler for about 10 years now and I'll just about bet the farm we made more money just selling hay before we got into the beef. Now I have to have so much set aside for winter I really don't have much to sell. Last year I purchased a small square baler and accumulator/grapple, mainly for straw, but did do about 1000 of nice hay. The small squares bring good money when I have them to sell. The round bales get put away alot faster than squares, but I only bought a 10 bale system because I like the interlocking stack on the wagon. I'll share my equipment list to give you an idea what it takes. All of it bought used in good condition, except the 856, its the last red one grandpa bought new for the row crops and the first tractor I ever spent much time on. Its staying forever.
IH 856, pulls mower and round baler
IH 656 w/2250 loader. Made my own bale spear
JD 3020 w/148 loader. Made my own spear
JD 835 moco w/rubber rolls. Center pivot is a must for efficiency. Amazing how many more acres/hr it cuts than a side pull
NH 163 Tedder. Tedder is an absolute must have. Can't make dry hay in our climate without it
Sitrex explorer 10 wheel rake. Don't get the carted style, they will ball up in big hay in the middle, makes a big mess.
JD 468 round baler w/net wrap. Net wrap bales bring more money than twine, look better and haul better, plus its no big deal if you get done baling just before a thunderstorm kicks up and the bales get wet in the field. Let them dry out and then put them away. This is the huge advantage rounds have over big squares if you're short on help and can't get them put away fast, or run out of storage.
JD 348 square baler/AF10 accumulator/510F grapple. Only way to make small squares. I made it so the grapple can go on either loader tractor. I can stack 9 layers high in my barn and it works well. Ideally I would like to go to a tie grabber and a squeeze in the future to use a bit more of my height in the barn (16' to trusses) but thats down the road a bit.
That is all just to do 100 acres hay and 50 acres straw. No way no how would I even attempt to double the hay acres with that equipment list.
All that to say, there is money in hay if you like to work. If I didn't like beef and looking at hereford cattle in my pasture I'd go away from the beef and just do hay again. Once we have the ability to raise all our calf needs the beef will start making better money though. Hopefully thats not too far off. | |
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Hay guys
