Hay in the Midwest

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Roguelet
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Hay in the Midwest

Postby Roguelet » Wed Jun 20, 2007 6:38 am

OK, apparently due to crappy weather in these parts, there is now a hay shortage. I am finding more and more people who are now out of hay; some cuttings were ruined by the weather, and now there hasn't been enough rain for anything to grow. I'm told that the last livestock auction in this area brought about $10/bale for hay! YIKES!

So, anyone in Indiana or surrounding states know of any good hay suppliers who still have hay available? Preferably for somewhere close to a reasonable price?

We've used the same supplier for years; we buy hay from him year-round... good quality, horse hay, no fescue, no weeds, etc. This is the first time he's ever run out. He says he does have a small supply left, but it was so dry and nasty when he had to cut it that it's just really poor quality; he's not even sure cattle would touch it. He just delivered our last load so we need to find some to hold us over and HOPE that the weather starts cooperating so the farmers can get some growth.

I think it's about to get really expensive to feed horses out here. :cry:
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cewright
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Postby cewright » Wed Jun 20, 2007 6:59 am

Roguelet

Texas has been in a drought for the last two years and has been a large importer of hay driving the prices up through out the plains states. Most hay barns are empty. Large outfits have tended to use large bales (3x3x8) of alfalfa shipped in from far away. Typical pricing is $220-240 per ton. Small squares of alfalfa are higher. This is quite a bit lower than grass hay which is over $300 per ton for small squares if you can find it. With the increases in the price of fuel and fertilizer it is unlikely that hay prices will decline to historic levels. However, we have had some rain this spring in north TX and there is hope for $150 grass hay by mid-summer.

In addition to the run up in hay prices we are also facing price increases and spot shortages in shavings. At least you now have slots!

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Chuck

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Postby Bondama » Wed Jun 20, 2007 7:45 am

It isn't just you, it's that way in Florida, too. Between the drought and the wildfires, we have become a big importer too, surprisingly enough. I can't even find large round rolls any more, not since end of last year. It bites! :evil:
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Postby madelyn » Wed Jun 20, 2007 10:56 am

The first cut here was late.. and now it is looking pretty grim for the rest of the season. I was out earlier and saw a BIG trailer load of hay on the freeway that looked like drought-cut (thick fibers, dry and yellowed). My husband mistook it for straw but nope, it was drought hay.

Anyhow, I got around 600 sq bales (2x2x4 - 50 lb) of first cut last month.. really good soft, green grass/timothy and I'm "sitting on it" -- only the trainer with my horse in training can buy some. We are getting 6x6 (1100-1200 lb) round bales today ($35 each).
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Postby TrueColours » Wed Jun 20, 2007 11:29 am

I am not even going to say that it looks like our hay crop in our parts (Ontario, Canada) is the best its been in years ...

It is honestly some of the nicest hay I have seen in a long time and depending on the area, it is going for around $2.00 - $4.00 a bale right now, out of the barn
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Postby Bedouwia » Wed Jun 20, 2007 1:27 pm

Well, hay may be the next good reason to move to Canada. :lol:

Things were so bad during this last winter in Texas that I switched my horses over to complete cubes with just small portions of alfalfa. The coastal hay was so bad and so expensive that it was not worth buying. Now, we have grass and lots of rain. However, there is so much rain that they cannot cut to make hay. The most recent alfalfa that I purchased was from California and it cost $ 18.50 for a large three string square bale. Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico are our usual sources but there is none.

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Postby Arctic Cielo » Wed Jun 20, 2007 1:34 pm

Ditto to what Donna said. We have an excellent hay crop here in Michigan, the average price being $3.00/bale. I am paying $20 for an 800lb roundbale (grass timothy) fresh out of the fields. Round bales are anywhere from 20-$50. It would be worth a trip here to MI.
I just got back from PA, and no offense, but you hay out in the fields was not as green as ours. The grass everywhere looked burnt and dry.

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Postby clh » Wed Jun 20, 2007 2:52 pm

OH in a drought too - we'll have issues with straw and hay :( Our normal supplier of hay quit making it this year - we feed 3rd and 4th cutting alfalfa so we don't have a clue what we'll do :?:
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Hay scare.

Postby TB Dreamin' » Wed Jun 20, 2007 3:49 pm

:? I'm in KY and just wanted to add that we bought all of our hay from a farmer up the road and he said his is all sold, first time ever, and because of the weather, he doesn't think he'll have any more hay this YEAR!!!! I, being the worrier that I am, freaked and started calling every one I had called in the past that had hay and sure enough, nothing...I even placed an ad in the Lexington-Herald Leader for any horse hay and have not rec'd ONE call in over 2 weeks...we are quaking in our boots...

Amy

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Postby TBLADY » Wed Jun 20, 2007 4:39 pm

www.holderfieldfarms.com

Located in Ind....they do all of my shipping for my personaly horses and have same damn nice hay as well. they are a commercial supplier so quanities might be a little better.

I'm in Ohio..NE near PA line and our crops here look great..but we ahve been getting rain here and ther by the buckets.

For alfalfa Im paying about $3-$4.50 a bale.
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Postby valerie » Fri Jun 22, 2007 4:27 am

Call the stable gate at Indiana Downs, a guy called in yesterday trying to sell alfalfa, his number is on a post it note near the phone. Local sale barn hay is going for about 4.00 to 450 a bale depending on what type it is.

There is a guy in Illinois if I can find his info that raises irrigated hay, alfalfa, timothy and world feeder bermuda and I have bought from him before when it was like this. If I can find the numbers and names I will pm you with his info.

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Postby camohn » Fri Jun 22, 2007 8:34 am

Does not help you much there but this was our nicest first cutting ever. Usually it is tough/stemmy by the time it quits raining long endough to get first cutting in/2nd and 3rd are better. With such a cold spring it was really slow to grow this year. The upside is nice tender stuff the horses will be much happier with/down side is we got about 2/3 the normal bales...so better stuff and less of it!!

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Postby Karie » Fri Jun 22, 2007 10:17 am

In Michigan.. First Cutting grass with a "little" alfalfa was $2.75
another person has it for $3 out of the field with more alfalfa..

If you are interested in coming up here let me know..
OR..
I am going to Lexington next week and might be able to bring a little that way.. but the extra gas prices from hauling a heavy load would probably kill me!

if someone is desperate let me know..
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Postby freshman » Fri Jun 22, 2007 4:11 pm

http://www.productionacres.com

Located in TN. About a 3 hour drive from Lexington.

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Postby adrienne » Fri Jun 22, 2007 8:34 pm

(815) 337-8200 Woodstock, IL

You will get a place called Stonetree Landscapes, leave a message for MIKE.

I don't know how good of a deal it would end up being, but I know he was shipping down to Oklahoma this winter.

You just need to make it clear to him you want *good* racehorse hay in decent sized bales ;)

I bought all my hay from these guys this winter.

The hay crops here in Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin are AMAZING so Mike should have been able to get some good hay.

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