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Post by greydales on Oct 5, 2006 12:13:01 GMT -1
Have any of you had any problems getting hay or haylage? I have some large bale haylage for winter but want to get in some small bale hay or haylage as well. The local farmer who usually sells me small bale haylage said he couldn't spare me any now as he didn't have enough supplies and it will probably be more expensive this winter as there just isn't any!
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Post by harveydales on Oct 5, 2006 12:46:03 GMT -1
Gill i just heard the same story from Jane yesterday when she came to trim Harvey. She said the problem is that the big growers never managed to get their second cut this year because of the wet August and in July the drought stopped the grass growing. It is going to be a worry for many people I think. I'm fortunate in that we had a good hay made ourselves this year and I've still got plenty from last year. I've kept one paddock for rough winter grazing so hopefully I won't use much hay this year.
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Post by zeldalithgow on Oct 5, 2006 20:20:18 GMT -1
I haven't heard anything but then again I haven't spoken to many people, I've still got lots of hay left from last year, and plenty of grazing to do them (I hope)
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Post by bevbob on Oct 5, 2006 21:16:24 GMT -1
I havent heard anything either, our YO usually says its always a bad year (might be to bump the price up lol)
I thought it would have been a good year but I dont know anything about hay making lol.
Hope you get fixed up with something.
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Post by harveydales on Oct 6, 2006 7:01:18 GMT -1
Bev, it was a good year for the small growers but a bad one for the very big growers who rely on getting 2 cuts per year. Lets face it, if there is an excuse to put hay prices up, they will go up!
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Post by greydales on Oct 6, 2006 9:54:40 GMT -1
The farmer who sells me small bale haylage makes it for Marksway Horsehage, and does rely on a second cut which not many got this year.
The only reason I need it is to have some handy when they are in for any reason, or if I go anywhere with the lorry - so I'm not desperate or anything!
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Post by ponydreamersmum on Oct 11, 2006 5:42:39 GMT -1
Im hoping not to need much as over half the field is fenced off for winter and I have a good store in from my supplier that I received as payment for helping with his haymaking. He has assured me that I wont have a problem getting more from him if I need it although he was quite a bit short on his haylage this year so will just have to wait and see. Im a bit panicky as he is the only place Ive ever bought it from because I help with it and I know exactly what is in it and the excellent condition of his land.
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Post by harleydales on Oct 11, 2006 8:26:48 GMT -1
Strangely, when it's hot and dry like this year, a lot of BAD hay is made, as people don't leave it to dry long enough - it still takes a week to 10 days. A farmer near us baled after 3 days, and I went and picked up some strands and screwed it up in my hand - still wet. Another farmer baled his, stacked it and covered it. It was too wet, the stack got too hot, collapsed and all the hay is ruined.
Luckily we made our own and touch wood it seems fine. We are blessed with a reasonable amount of land too, so should be OK.
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Post by harveydales on Oct 11, 2006 11:16:36 GMT -1
I know Jane, they always say more bad hay gets made in a good year than in a bad one!
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Jenni
Exmoor
Holmedown Chrystal
Posts: 87
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Post by Jenni on Oct 11, 2006 19:52:41 GMT -1
Wow, ten days to make hay  Thing are certainly different up north. Ours is usually ready for baling in 3 or 4 days. Any longer and it would be hay crisps. We made fewer bales than usual this year, due to the dry weather in July. Our local smallholder newsletter hardly has any adverts for hay at the moment. There's usually lots at this time of the year. |
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Thing are certainly different up north. Ours is usually ready for baling in 3 or 4 days. Any longer and it would be hay crisps.