Hay cost - 2013

[SimLondon]

I hope this isn't to daft a question :-) but 2012 hay is going for £3.50 a std bale local to me right now, does that mean its safe to assume that £3.50 a bale for 2013 hay cut in the next few weeks would be a fair price?

[SaggyOldClothCatPuss]

It depends on what the cut is like. Yields can vary greatly. A couple of years ago, when it was very dry, a farmer friend got 50 round bales off of a field which usually makes nearer 200!
Ive not heard anything to say that the hay might be sparse this year, but it might be a bit late. Have to wait and see what happens.

[BentleyBelly]

Round here £3.50 a bale is a bargain, people are charging up to £5 a bale!

[cedmonds]

Round here people are charging the lowest £6 a small bale some are charging up to £8

[SaggyOldClothCatPuss]

Where are you?

[BentleyBelly]

I'm in the New Forest.

[SaggyOldClothCatPuss]

Aah! more trees than grass!
Its still looking OK here. Ive got some cheap rounds lined up with a local farmer which should do me for a while!

[Littlebigbum]

Hay was late this year but shooting up now

[salemsparklys]

Last years square bales are selling at £6.75 here, we have a huge shortage though, rounds went up from £30 to £50 per round. That's Edinburgh, Scotland

[SimLondon]

Well tomorrow's the day we have ours cut, fingers crossed for nice weather for a few days in Essex - we're hoping for 400 small bales and a few more buyers. Looking like £3.50/£3.75 a bale depending on how much the chap cutting/baling it charges us.

[Landy77]

Where about's in Essex are you? I might be interested possibly need an extra 100 bales. Have heard prices from £2.50 - £6

[SimLondon]

Hello Landy, near Colchester - we're just off j28 of the A12 - £3.50 a bale, ready next Thursday onwards if your interested :-)

[Landy77]

Okay excellant that's the new football ground junction isn't it? I am Witham way so not too far. I have said I would take off the field all the bales from a local farmer but if his estimate of bales is correct we will be short. That was cut yesterday so I should know in the next couple of days.

[SaggyOldClothCatPuss]

Ooh! That's my junction. Do I know you Sim?

[SimLondon]

That's it, ours was cut on Thursday and we're looking to bale on Wednesday /Thursday so let me know if your interested :-)

[SimLondon]

Probably not yet Saggy :-) We've only lived here a few months and been busy renovating/decorating/working etc but we're in Boxted - is that anywhere you?

[SaggyOldClothCatPuss]

PILs live in Boxted. Im Langham originally!

[SimLondon]

Waves back at Saggy, well with all the lovely sunshine we managed to get the baling done this afternoon and we now have 365 bales of lovely dust free meadow hay ready to go - Saggy any thoughts where I can advertise it other than an ad in the Priory saddlery? it is good quality, hand-weeded for years and years so no chemicals, Im going to put another ad up in Marriages feed merchants tomorrow and then Im out of ideas.

[SaggyOldClothCatPuss]

Try CWG at ardleigh and Wix Equestrian Centre. The coop at Manningtree has a good notice board as well.

[SaggyOldClothCatPuss]

If you would like, you can pm me what you like me to write, and ill post an ad in Manningtree for you. I live right nearby. :-)

[SimLondon]

Thank-you Saggy will pm - have only sold two bales so far!

[Nuttyfilly]

Im selling this years at £4 a small square bale. Its smells so good i could nearly eat it myself. Im leicestershire and that seems to be the going rate.