Hay Hell

Postby **Roguelet** » Sat Sep 29, 2007 10:07 am

I just found out that the 500 bales of hay we THOUGHT were set aside for us got sold out from under us. Just glorious.

So, I'm calling people and I am finding some, but MAN it's getting expensive! This is not going to be a fun Winter, unless it's really, really really mild.

So, anyone want to trade some hay for a proven breeding pair of Blue and Gold Macaws? :roll:

madelyn · Postby **madelyn** » Sat Sep 29, 2007 10:18 am

Right now I would actually trade a breeding to Rocking Trick for hay!

Postby **Roguelet** » Sat Sep 29, 2007 10:26 am

No kidding. I would seriously trade the birds, or a breeding to Indy Mood, or a racing prospect or broodmare...

Seriously, any "weather watchers" have a feel for if this will be a mild winter or a hard one?

casallc · Postby **casallc** » Sat Sep 29, 2007 10:42 am

Lots of hay in Oklahoma, we had the wettest spring and summer in history. Small square bales premium grass hay 80-100 per ton. Large round bales premium grass hay 70-90 per ton.

Postby **Roguelet** » Sat Sep 29, 2007 10:47 am

casallc wrote:Lots of hay in Oklahoma, we had the wettest spring and summer in history. Small square bales premium grass hay 80-100 per ton. Large round bales premium grass hay 70-90 per ton.

So, how do you feel about Macaws?

yukidragon · Postby **yukidragon** » Sat Sep 29, 2007 11:19 am

Premium orchard here is $1850.00 for 7 tons delivered.
They eat it like candy.
If they ever do close the track down here,I hope it will be cheaper.
I wish I never left Dixie.

casallc · Postby **casallc** » Sat Sep 29, 2007 11:48 am

Roguelet wrote:
casallc wrote:Lots of hay in Oklahoma, we had the wettest spring and summer in history. Small square bales premium grass hay 80-100 per ton. Large round bales premium grass hay 70-90 per ton.

So, how do you feel about Macaws?

Depends on how they're cooked.

freshman · Postby **freshman** » Sat Sep 29, 2007 4:40 pm

If you're really hard up for hay, check out www.productionacres.com.

They aren't cheap from what I gather, but they've got it all--grass hays including prairie grass. bermuda/fescue., orchard grass, timothy, straight alfalfa in different grades, and mixes. They are big time, sell by the ton, and you can go there to get it or they can arrange it delivered.

These are good folks that make their living by producing and selling hay. They have many standing contracts to supply UTCVM, Dixie Stampede, supplied the Atlanta Olympic games, etc. Really know their stuff, meaning they know what they have to sell, what quality, and what is a fair price.

They're a bout 2 or 3 hours from Lexington. Again, hay is expesive, and so I'm sure that their's is as well. But if you've gotta have it and need to know the quality, etc, that they have they will shoot straight with you. They are a classy operation.

Arctic Cielo · Postby **Arctic Cielo** » Sat Sep 29, 2007 7:16 pm

I've been trying to trade horses for hay-its not working. My solution is to sell some of the horses! If I sell a few I will be ok for the winter but its only a grass timothy mix-not the nice mix for the broodmares.

Lei Owen · Postby **Lei Owen** » Sat Sep 29, 2007 9:01 pm

www.hayexchange.com or www.chaffhaye.com

TBLADY · Postby **TBLADY** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 4:50 am

Trevor...call me 330-853-5856 I think I may have a solution for you.

Christy

Postby **Roguelet** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 6:49 am

Thanks everyone. We found some hay that is actually closer to us than what we were getting; it's a bit more expensive but still reasonable, and is higher quality, which we want in the winter anyway since there will be no grass to speak of... so we're OK for now. Right now our main pastures still have plenty of grass, thankfully, but our smaller paddocks need hay and since I don't know when the bad weather will arrive, I want to be prepared ahead of time. I've been spoiled. The guy we always use ran out, but we've always been able to call him and he shows up with whatever we need a couple of hours later. This searching state-wide and beyond stuff really sucks.

And I agree, selling horses is probably a smart move. Anyone want to get into the Indiana program? We're looking at feeding somewhere around 25 - 30 over the winter... it would be nice to cut that down a bit. Maybe it would be cheaper to send all the babies out to be broke during the worst winter months and let someone else feed them! :lol:

I am creating my own little hay directory for future use, though, and I have added the information everyone has posted. The guy we found has plenty right now, but for all I know he might sell out next week, so I want plenty of options. And TBLADY, you have a PM.

adrienne · Postby **adrienne** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 10:22 am

My hay guy has been shipping out all of his large squares on me... I wonder where they are going? I'll find out....

I have plenty of his (more $$) small squares to get through the winter... but I wanted large squares to save money...

I would check out large squares ladies. They may be more economical to ship long distances (since they can be loaded with a forklift and they actually stay on the truck) and they are cheaper per ton anyway. YES, they are a pain the butt to move around and feed... but I think it's worth it.

We don't have a fork attachment on our skid loader, but I can easily push them around with the bucket. I have actually aquired the skill of stacking large squares of straw 2 high on the trailer with just the bucket, I'm pretty proud of that

pfrsue · Postby **pfrsue** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 1:18 pm

I have a friend in Indiana who also had her 'reserved' winter hay sold out from under her! Wonder what's up with that?! Black market? Organized crime? "Psst, hey buddy, wanna buy a flake?" :shock:

Bunty Lawless · Postby **Bunty Lawless** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 2:15 pm

Roguelet wrote:

Seriously, any "weather watchers" have a feel for if this will be a mild winter or a hard one?

http://www.farmersalmanac.com/2007_2008 ... er_outlook