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Starting Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 7/8/2008 5:16:54 AM
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| So ... I am looking to bale my own hay on 30 of 100 acres in central Kentucky ... BUT I have no idea where to start! The farm is mostly open land; it appears (haha) that it would not be too difficult to have someone come in and kill the weeds so I can spread seed myself. Is this the proper way to go about things? Also, I have all of the equipment to cut and rake, but not to bale -- how do you suggest I go about baling? Find a farmer to bale for me? Try to see if I can barter time/hay to borrow a baler and bale myself? What do you think? Any ideas/help/thoughts would be appreciated! :)
*Sarah & IGGY*
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Junior Member
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Last Login: Today @ 6:38:30 PM
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| How weedy is the field? Is it what is euphemistically called "native pasture" in many parts of the country? If so, and as long as it's not dotted with sprouts (baby saplings), you could possibly bale what naturally grows there without reseeding, depending on what's growing there and what type of animal you plan to feed it to. Your best bet would be to meet with your County Extension agent. He'll probably schedule a trip out to inspect your field in person and then suggest what would work best for your particular situation. Haying equipment is pretty pricey unless you plan to use relatively old-fashioned equipment. John made lots of native hay in Minnesota using an old-time sickle cutter and a rake to turn the hay several times to dry, but that's pretty work intensive by modern standards. You can usually find someone who will custom bale your hay for x-amount of money per bale or for x-amount of the total hay crop. According to various friends who have had hay processed this way, you need to be careful who you hire (ask for references and check them out) as some balers handle their own crops first and work customers in as time permits, meaning they may leave your hay down (to be rained on or become overly sunbaked) until it's convenient for them to bale it. <sigh> I wish we had 30 acres of hay ground! You are very fortunate indeed. :o) Sue
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Starting Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 7/8/2008 7:25:22 PM
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| I would suggest hiring someone local to do it for you, at first. You can learn a lot by watching, and asking questions. Lots of country folk LOVE to talk! And you can get an opinion on how to manage your hayfield from someone that knows hay. And Sue Weaver's suggestion of your local extension office is great, I would do that also. They will at least have materials you can read that should help you identify what you have growing, and what is good/bad for the type of livestock you plan to feed.
Dream Big.
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